Srinagar-Jammu highway shut for 2nd day after heavy snowfall

A day after snowfall disrupted normal life across the Valley, the vital Srinagar–Jammu national highway remained closed for the second consecutive day on Saturday, even as flight operations resumed at Srinagar airport and efforts continued to restore electricity supply.

The snowfall, which began late Thursday night and intensified by Friday morning — including the season’s first snowfall in the plains — led to the closure of the Srinagar–Jammu national highway due to snow and rain. Flight operations at Srinagar airport were also suspended on Friday.

The Meteorological Department said on Saturday that significant snowfall had been recorded across the Valley. The ski resort of Gulmarg received 50.8 cm of snow, Kokernag 47 cm, Pahalgam 46 cm, Batote in the Jammu region 43 cm, Bhaderwah 31 cm, Banihal 22 cm and Qazigund 10 cm.

Officials at Srinagar airport said flight operations resumed on Saturday morning. Airport authorities said on X that flights were restored after the Indian Air Force, which controls the runway, lifted the NOTAM for commercial operations.

“Airports Authority of India, in close coordination with BRO, has successfully cleared the apron and taxiways,” the post said.

However, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police said in an afternoon update that the national highway remained closed. Restoration work was still in progress and commuters were advised not to travel until the road is fully restored and declared safe.

Officials said that several other key roads, including the Srinagar–Kargil road and the Mughal Road connecting Kashmir with Jammu, also remained closed due to snowfall.

Late on Friday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a meeting to review the situation arising from snowfall and extreme weather conditions across J&K. He directed departments to prioritise the restoration of power, ensure uninterrupted water supply, healthcare, road connectivity and other essential services.

On Saturday, officials said electricity restoration was “progressing steadily, with teams continuing on-ground efforts to further stabilise power supply”. KPDCL said “teams on the ground, braving snow and heights, committed to bringing normalcy back”.

Even as Kashmir limped back towards normalcy, the Weather Department forecast light to moderate rain and snow at most places, with the possibility of moderate to heavy rain and snow during the night of January 26 and January 27.