Heavy snowfall across Kashmir on Tuesday brought air travel to a near halt, with airlines cancelling at least 16 flights at Srinagar International Airport. The cancellations included eight arrivals and eight departures, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded who had planned to return home after the Republic Day weekend holiday.
Airport officials attributed the disruptions to adverse weather conditions that made safe flight operations impossible. Passengers were urged to stay in touch with their airlines for updates and alternative travel arrangements. By late afternoon, limited flight operations had resumed despite continuing light snowfall, with a few aircraft managing to land successfully.
National Highway Remains Blocked
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the lifeline connecting Kashmir with the rest of India, faced severe disruptions due to heavy snow accumulation. Traffic Police in Jammu and Kashmir announced a complete closure of the highway, particularly around the Navyug Tunnel area where fresh snowfall made conditions dangerous.
“No vehicular movement shall be allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa. Furthermore, Mughal Road, SSG Road and Sinthan Road are already closed,” police stated in their advisory. Authorities warned travelers not to attempt journeys on these routes until they are fully restored and declared safe.
The highway had been closed for more than two days before partial restoration began. However, clearance operations continued as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded along the route. A traffic official confirmed that snowfall persisted in the Banihal area, creating slippery and hazardous road conditions. Fortunately, no major incidents involving stranded vehicles were reported, and the situation remained under control.
Chief Minister Calls Snowfall a Blessing
Despite the immediate inconvenience to travelers, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took a positive view of the snowfall. Speaking from Gulmarg, the popular north Kashmir ski resort, he described the precipitation as beneficial for the region’s long-term water security.
“This snowfall is a blessing. Tourists were waiting for snow and have started coming now,” Abdullah said. He explained that timely snow during the Chillai-Kalan winter period would help recharge the water table and prevent potential drought conditions in summer. Without adequate precipitation, Kashmir could face serious water shortages in the coming months.
The chief minister reviewed the post-snowfall situation and expressed satisfaction with restoration efforts by various government departments. Electricity supply, which had been severely affected across several areas, was largely restored. The power grid now provided 1,500 megawatts against peak demand of 1,700 megawatts. However, Abdullah acknowledged that repairs in remote mountainous areas would require more time to complete.
Weather Alerts Issued Across Region
The India Meteorological Department issued yellow and orange alerts for various parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, January 27. Heavy snow was forecast for Kishtwar, Kulgam, Bandipora, Srinagar, Pulwama, and Kupwara. Thunderstorms and hailstorms were also expected in some regions.
Areas under orange alert included Jammu, Anantnag, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Kishtwar, Pulwama, Reasi, and Ganderbal. The alerts warned residents to prepare for severe weather conditions.
Snowfall was reported across the Kashmir Valley, including the capital city Srinagar and Ganderbal district. Parts of the Jammu region, particularly the Pir Panjal range and Chenab Valley, also received significant snow accumulation.
While air and road travel faced major disruptions, train services across the region continued to run on schedule, providing an alternative transportation option for stranded travelers.
Regional Weather Alert
| Area | Alert Level | Expected Weather | Travel Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | Orange | Heavy snow, thunderstorms | Airport partially operational |
| Ganderbal | Orange | Heavy snow, thunderstorms | Travel restricted |
| Kishtwar | Orange | Heavy snowfall | Roads closed |
| Pulwama | Orange | Heavy snow, hailstorms | Travel restricted |
| Bandipora | Yellow | Heavy snow expected | Limited movement |
| Kupwara | Yellow | Heavy snowfall | Road clearance ongoing |
| Jammu | Orange | Snow, thunderstorms | Highway closed |
| Anantnag | Orange | Heavy precipitation | Travel not advised |
| Gulmarg | Active snow | Continuous snowfall | Tourist operations affected |
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