Highways Shut, Flights Hit, Power Restoration On
MeT predicts more snow, rains till Mar 3
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Feb 28: Normal life was disrupted for the second consecutive day on Friday as fresh snowfall affected both aerial and surface connections of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory (UT) with the rest of the world.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that fresh snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir since Thursday afternoon has disrupted normal life on Friday, including examinations at the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).
The official noted that both the plains and upper reaches of the Valley received fresh snowfall. Srinagar and other plains in the region also experienced new snowfall, which ended a prolonged dry spell.
The Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, informed Kashmir Despatch that there would be an improvement in the weather on March 1 and 2 across Jammu and Kashmir. However, another spell of rain and snow is expected from March 3 to 4.
The MeT Director stated that the incessant rainfall observed in Jammu and Kashmir on February 27 and 28 marked the end of the long dry spell.
He detailed that Udhampur received 215 mm of rainfall, Batote recorded 167 mm, and Jammu, Reasi, and Ramban saw 100 mm of rainfall.
Mukhtar Ahmad further added that South Kashmir experienced heavy rainfall and moderate snowfall, while North Kashmir recorded light snowfall and intermittent rainfall.
The overnight snowfall disrupted rail, air, and road connectivity on Friday, as most parts of Kashmir were covered in a layer of white.
A transport official informed Kashmir Despatch that landslides, mudslides, and falling rocks were reported along the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, impacting transport movement for the second consecutive day. However, men and machinery are working tirelessly to restore traffic movement as soon as possible.
The official mentioned that several other roads, including the Srinagar-Leh highway, SSG Road, and Mughal Road—the alternate road link between Kashmir and Jammu—were also closed.
He stated that all morning flights were delayed due to the weather; however, flight operations resumed after 11 am once the weather improved.
The official also added that train services on the Budgam-Baramulla section were affected due to the accumulation of heavy snow along the tracks.
Meanwhile, the fresh spell of precipitation has contributed to a reduction in the seasonal deficit, bringing it down to 69 percent.
According to meteorological data, the normal winter precipitation should be 200 mm, but this season has only seen 40 percent of that total. From January 1 to February 26, 2025, the region recorded 65.8 mm of rainfall.
Meanwhile, a civil official speaking to Kashmir Despatch stated that men and machinery have been on the roads since yesterday, and almost all the main roads have been cleared.
He mentioned that teams from different forces have swung into action, addressing various needs from clearing the roads to assisting stranded individuals and providing relief to those affected.
He also stated that teams from the Power Development Department (PDD) were working diligently to restore electricity across the Valley by tonight.
