Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and Flight Operations
Severe winter conditions have led to the closure of the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road, which connects Ladakh Union Territory, due to heavy snowfall. The extreme weather has also disrupted air travel at Srinagar International Airport on Friday, officials confirmed.
Drastic Temperature Drop Across Jammu and Kashmir
According to the latest weather reports, the maximum day temperatures in Kashmir Division were recorded 3-6°C below normal, while Jammu Division experienced a dip of 4-7°C below normal. The highest maximum temperatures recorded were 15.0°C in Muzaffarabad and 21.3°C in Mirpur.
Meanwhile, the minimum night temperatures dropped significantly, remaining 2-4°C below normal across both divisions. The coldest locations were Gulmarg at -2.0°C in Kashmir and Bhaderwah at -0.2°C in Jammu.
Widespread Snowfall Disrupts Daily Life
Srinagar and other regions of the Kashmir Valley witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall overnight, leading to significant disruptions in normal life. Reports suggest that snow continued to fall at various locations, affecting road and air connectivity.
Flights Delayed at Srinagar International Airport
Due to adverse weather conditions, morning flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were delayed, said Airport Director Javid Anjum. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was actively engaged in clearing snow from the airport’s runway to resume operations.
Major Roads Closed Due to Snow Accumulation and Landslides
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remains blocked due to snow accumulation between Ramsoo and Qazigund. Additionally, shooting stones, landslides, and mudslides between Nashri and the NAVYUG Tunnel have further exacerbated the situation.
BRO has deployed personnel and machinery to clear the snow and restore traffic movement as soon as possible.
Other affected roads include:
- Batote-Doda Road – Closed due to landslides at Ragi Nalla.
- Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road – Shut down due to heavy snowfall.
- Bhaderwah-Chamba Road – Temporarily inaccessible.
- Mughal Road and Sinthan Road – Blocked due to accumulated snow.
The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police confirmed these closures through an official update on X (formerly Twitter).
Education Sector Affected by Harsh Weather
Despite the heavy snowfall, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has decided to proceed with 11th class exams as per schedule, according to an official communiqué.
However, the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) has postponed 1st semester examinations scheduled for February 28, 2025. The Controller of Examinations announced that fresh dates for the exams will be communicated later.
The ongoing snowfall and harsh winter conditions continue to impact roadways, flight operations, and educational institutions across Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are working diligently to restore normalcy, with BRO and Traffic Police actively engaged in clearing the blocked roads. Travelers are advised to stay updated on weather and traffic advisories before making any journey plans in the affected regions.
