Heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir
Normal life was thrown out of gear as the Kashmir Valley was hit by fresh snowfall on Thursday, while the plains of Jammu witnessed rains. People were forced to stay indoors without electricity as road links were snapped at many places. Meanwhile, flight operations at the Srinagar airport were disrupted due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility. According to news agency ANI, all flights of GoAir and IndiGo were cancelled, along with 2 SpiceJet flights, 1 AirAsia flight and an Army charter flight.
"No flight could land or take off from the airport today morning," an official at the Srinagar International Airport said.
Flight operations will start only after visibility improves, he said, adding that snow clearance on the runway was hampered by the continued snowfall.
Fresh snowfall started early on Thursday in Srinagar as it recorded 0.5 degrees Celsius. Heavy spells were reported from the hills. Pahalgam and Gulmarg recorded minus 0.6 and minus 4 degrees, respectively.
The strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway remained closed for a second consecutive day due to the fresh snowfall in Bannihal sector and landslides in Ramsoo-Ramban.
The one-way traffic from Srinagar to Jammu which was allowed on Wednesday, was halted.
Prices of essentials like vegetables, mutton and poultry products, have skyrocketed in the landlocked Kashmir Valley due to severing of road links.
Electric supply was interrupted in many parts of the valley, especially north Kashmir areas with the Power Department informing that efforts were on to restore snapped lines.
"The staff has been at it even in the midst of heavy snowing this time," Qazi Hashmat, Chief Engineer, maintenance and rural electrification Kashmir said.
He said at present the department is supplying 850 megawatts to consumers against the requirement of 1,200 MW in the valley.
The Met said a western disturbance active over Jammu and Kashmir is likely to weaken after 24 hours on Friday.
"As the western disturbance persists, widespread snowfall and rain is expected today, though there should be signs of improvement later in the evening,"
"Significant improvement is forecast from tomorrow onwards," a Met official said.
In the Ladakh region, Leh recorded minus 3.2, Kargil minus 16.4 and Drass minus 5.8 degrees Celsius.
Jammu was at 9.3, Katra 7, Batote minus 1.6, Bannihal 0.2 and Bhaderwah was at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.
