Srinagar — Heavy snowfall disrupted life across the Valley on Saturday as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway between the Pir Panjal tunnel and Srinagar city.

Defying the forecast of light snowfall at isolated places, heavy snowfall started on Friday afternoon and continued till Saturday morning.

Due to highly slippery road conditions, hundreds of vehicles were stranded between the Pir Panjal tunnel and Srinagar city.

Vehicles remained stranded inside the tunnel for many hours as heavy snowfall coupled with sub-zero temperature froze accumulated snow on the highway.

Authorities were desperately trying to clear the stranded vehicles, but the fury of snow did not allow the vehicles to move even at a snail’s pace.

Many heavy and small vehicles skidded sideways as drivers failed to negotiate their passage through accumulated snow on the highway.

Senior civil and police officials moved out with snow clearance machines in Kulgam and Anantnag districts to clear the stranded vehicles on the national highway.

Till Saturday morning, traffic movement on the National Highway could not be fully restored.

Authorities have set up helplines in every district of the Valley so that people facing problems due to the unexpected heavy snowfall can seek assistance.

All roads in Srinagar city and other districts including Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian were blocked due to heavy snowfall as snow clearance machines moved out in the morning to restore these for traffic.

Electric power supply, except in some parts of Srinagar city was completely disrupted.

Electric poles were unrooted, transmissions lines snapped and power supply grids were disrupted by the heavy snowfall.

Despite its vagaries, the snowfall has brought cheer on the faces of locals because the long dry spell has been broken promising prospects of a good Babi crop.

Most perennial springs and wells in the Valley had been running low as there hadn’t been enough precipitation during the last four months.

Srinagar city and many adjoining areas including the plains of other districts received this season’s first snowfall yesterday.

Snowfall has brought cheer on the faces of scores of tourists currently holidaying in the Valley. There has been around 10 inches of fresh snowfall in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and other tourist destinations.

The weather office has forecast more rain and snow during the next 24 hours. — (IANS)

Srinagar, Dec 28 : Flight operations at Srinagar Airport remain on standby due to adverse weather conditions in the region, while the final call regarding the suspension or resumption of flights at Srinagar Airport will be taken after 10 AM on Saturday, officials said.

Director of Srinagar Airport, Javed Anjum said the decision on the resumption of flights will be taken after 10 AM. Until then, both departures and arrivals are on standby, and travelers have been advised to confirm their flight status before leaving for the airport.

He said that as the weather conditions improve and if they see any improvement, they will take the final call accordingly.

Meanwhile, IndiGo Airlines, addressing the situation on X (formerly Twitter), wrote: “#6ETravelAdvisory: Weather conditions in #Srinagar are showing signs of improvement, and we are gradually resuming flight operations.

“However, as weather can be unpredictable, we recommend checking your flight status before heading to the airport: [https ://www.goindigo.in/check-flight-status.html]. Travelling well-prepared is always a good idea. Wishing you a happy and safe journey!” reads the tweet.(KNO)

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, December 27: The Winter Wonderland of Kashmir is buzzing with excitement as tourists flock to the region on the eve of the New Year celebration.

With the season’s fresh first snowfall in the plains, the anticipation has doubled, with expectations for a bumper business ahead of the New Year holiday.

A tourism official told Kashmir Despatch that the winter wonderlands of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are receiving overwhelming attention, resulting in all hotels being fully booked.

The official noted that the local hospitality industry is booming as hotels, resorts, and guesthouses in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg prepare to accommodate the surge in tourists. He added that the fully booked status reflects not only the popularity of these destinations but also the unwavering confidence that travelers have in Kashmir’s unparalleled beauty and warm hospitality.

Since the abrogation of Article 370, the surge in tourism has brought hope and relief to the local economy. The thriving tourism industry provides employment opportunities for numerous locals, supporting their livelihoods and contributing to the overall growth of the region.

In 2024, the region has already broken all previous records, hosting 3 million tourists in just the few remaining days of the year, alongside significant growth in the number of foreign visitors.

Director of Tourism Raja Yaqoob Farooq earlier this week informed Kashmir Despatch that around 3 million tourists have visited Kashmir this year, highlighting the notable increase in foreign tourist numbers as especially encouraging. He reported that approximately 36,000 to 37,000 foreign tourists visited last year; however, up until December 20, 2023, around 43,000 foreign tourists have already arrived in Kashmir.

He stated, however, that the winter months would be highly successful for Kashmir’s tourism industry.

Speaking to Kashmir Despatch, a civil official mentioned that various activities, including musical evenings, firework shows, night skiing, and torch skiing, have been planned for New Year’s Eve to enhance the experience for visitors.

The official emphasized that the winter season is a core focus area, and this time, besides Gulmarg—one of the country’s premier winter destinations—the tourism department is aiming to promote locations like Sonamarg and Doodhpatri as well.

Talking to Kashmir Despatch, Rouf Ahmad, a manager at a hotel in Gulmarg, noted that there is a growing momentum of both domestic and foreign tourists. He stated, “All our rooms are already booked ahead of the New Year celebrations.” 

Rouf further commented that this year is set to be record-breaking for Gulmarg, with a significant influx of tourists not only from India but also from abroad. He mentioned that preparations for the New Year celebrations have been exceptionally busy over the past week.

He informed Kashmir Despatch that they have planned various activities for visitors at their hotel, including a musical evening and a firework show.

Winter in the Kashmir Valley consistently shows positive signs for all tourism players, as hotels and restaurants remain open throughout Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. All three tourist destinations are currently experiencing heavy snowfall during this harsh winter period, providing tourists with the joy of enjoying snowfall throughout the season.

Kashmir is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in India and features on the travel wish lists of many. However, parts of the valley often remain closed during winter due to harsh weather conditions and heavy snowfall, which can complicate travel.

Earlier this month, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, stated that the administration is proactively preparing for winter tourism and major events in the valley. He assured that preparations for the upcoming winter season are being managed efficiently, highlighting the administration’s commitment to ensuring a seamless schedule for the Khelo India Games in Gulmarg. “While snowfall delayed last year’s schedule, we are optimistic about hosting the games as planned this time,” he said.

Shifting focus to Kupwara’s tourism potential, Bidhuri underscored the significance of events like the Bungus Festival, reflecting on his participation in last year’s festival, during which he observed, “Bungus offers great potential for eco-tourism, and we are exploring innovative ways to promote it as a key destination in Kupwara.”

Regarding winter preparedness, Bidhuri outlined the administration’s efforts to provide improved services compared to previous years. “Daily reviews are being conducted to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place. We are determined to make this winter better in every way,” he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, chaired a crucial meeting at Gulmarg to review facilities related to winter tourism. The Deputy Commissioner emphasized the need to ensure the round-the-clock availability of critical services such as electricity and water supply, which are essential for the comfort and safety of tourists.

Minga Sherpa reiterated that the success of Gulmarg as a premier winter tourism destination depends on modern infrastructure, safe travel conditions, and efficient services. He stressed that all these elements must be in place during the winter season to provide tourists with a memorable and hassle-free experience.

SUHAIL KHAN

SRINAGAR, Dec 27: Snowfall blanketed various parts of Kashmir on Friday afternoon, ending a four-month dry spell and bringing some relief from the bone-chilling cold in the valley.

A senior official from the meteorological department informed Kashmir Despatch that Srinagar and other areas of the Kashmir valley experienced their first snowfall of the season, marking the conclusion of a prolonged dry period.

The official noted that snowfall was also reported in parts of Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar, while rains affected the plains of Jammu district.

Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures falling across most locations in Kashmir as the valley continued to endure intense cold conditions. This has led to the freezing of several water bodies and water supply lines in many areas.

The official predicted a dip of two to three degrees in minimum temperatures in Kashmir over the next two days.

Aside from Gulmarg, night temperatures have plummeted across all other weather stations in the Kashmir valley.

Currently under the grip of “Chillai-Kalan,” the harshest winter period lasting 40 days beginning December 21, the Kashmir valley is experiencing below-normal maximum and minimum temperatures for this time of year, the official further mentioned.

He also stated that Jammu and Kashmir has recorded an 81 percent rainfall deficit over the past three months while grappling with a persistent cold wave. Between October 1 and December 25, 2024, the Union Territory received only 21.0 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 110.0 mm, representing an 81 percent deficit.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecasted scattered snowfall across Kashmir and widespread rains in Jammu, along with snowfall in the upper reaches of the Chenab Valley. The department indicated that this weather pattern would continue until Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the fresh snowfall resulted in the closure of the Mughal road, connecting the Kashmir Valley with Rajouri and Poonch districts via Shopian. The Sinthan-Kishtwar road was also shut due to slippery conditions and risk of landslides.

Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch indicate that tourists were seen enjoying the snowflakes on the popular Boulevard Road along the banks of Dal Lake, capturing memorable photographs in front of luxurious houseboats. Following the snowfall, vehicles were moving slowly on the highways as well as on all connecting roads.

Additionally, the season’s first major snowfall in Kashmir on Friday led to significant disruptions at the Srinagar International Airport, resulting in the cancellation of all flights.

The Director of Srinagar Airport stated in a message to Kashmir Despatch that, while operations had been smooth earlier, snow accumulation affected evening flights. “So far, five flights have been canceled. I urge passengers to check the status, as the ongoing snowfall is impacting operations,” he said.

Airport officials explained that snow buildup on the runway, combined with dense cloud cover, rendered conditions unsafe for aircraft operations. “The safety of passengers and crew remains our top priority, and operations are heavily dependent on weather conditions,” an airport spokesperson said in a statement to Kashmir Despatch.

Earlier in the day, a railway official informed Kashmir Despatch that following fresh snowfall, train service between Budgam and Banihal experienced delays; however, services were later restored and are now functioning normally.

Meanwhile, police across the districts of Kashmir have issued helpline numbers for the general public in light of the fresh snowfall. From Sopore to Kupwara to Awantipora, emergency helpline services have been established to assist the public in seeking help during emergencies arising from inclement weather.

In case of any emergency, the general public can contact the following cell numbers, available 24/7.

The district police are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the public during these challenging weather conditions. Please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance.