Road, air traffic impacted due to heavy snowfall in J&K

The Meteorological Department reported that the higher reaches of the Kashmir, including the popular tourist destinations of Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, experienced moderate to heavy snowfall, while the plains saw moderate rainfall and light snowfall.

Srinagar’s Met Department Director Mukhtar Ahmad noted that the weather was expected to improve starting late Friday afternoon. Snowfall had begun in many areas of the Valley by Thursday evening.

According to the Met Department, the cumulative precipitation from February 25-28 recorded the highest snow depth in Gulmarg, with 113 mm, followed by Sonamarg with 75 mm in Central Kashmir. Authorities were carrying out snow clearance operations throughout the region on Friday.

Several roads in the Valley have been closed due to the snowfall, including the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, which was shut after snow accumulation at the Zojila Pass. At Srinagar Airport, all morning flights were delayed due to the adverse weather conditions. A senior official confirmed that flight operations resumed after 11 am once the weather improved.

Officials reported that the fresh snowfall overnight provided much-needed relief to residents after a prolonged dry winter. The prolonged dry spell had led to significant concerns, including the drying up of the historic Achabal Mughal Garden’s natural spring in South Kashmir and the suspension of the national winter games in Gulmarg due to insufficient snow.