Snowfall forces Srinagar airport closure, gusty winds disrupt life across Kashmir

Fresh snowfall and strong gusty winds severely disrupted normal life in Kashmir on Friday, with Srinagar International Airport forced to suspend operations and several key highways in Jammu and Kashmir closed due to unsafe conditions.

Overnight snowfall was reported in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian, while Srinagar and parts of central and north Kashmir experienced rainfall that later turned into snowfall in the morning. Snow accumulation on the runway led authorities to halt flight operations at Srinagar airport, as snow clearance machines were deployed to restore safety.

Surface transport was also hit hard. Traffic on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway was suspended after heavy snowfall on both sides of the Navyug Tunnel. The Mughal Road, Srinagar–Leh highway, and routes across Sinthan and Razdan Passes were also closed, along with other higher reaches of the Valley.

Authorities advised travellers to postpone their journeys and follow official advisories before resuming travel.

Meanwhile, gusty winds caused widespread damage, with rooftops blown away in several areas. Power supply was disrupted across many parts of Srinagar city and most rural areas after transmission lines were damaged. Electricity department officials said teams were working round-the-clock to restore the main 33 KV transmission line supplying power to the Valley.

Residents have been cautioned to stay away from uprooted electric poles and dangling power lines.

Despite the disruptions, the snowfall has been welcomed by locals, as heavy snow in higher reaches is crucial for sustaining rivers and water bodies during the summer months in Jammu and Kashmir.

(This story was taken from syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital team)