WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: Life came to a standstill across Kashmir following heavy snow, which also led to the closure of railway services, traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and the suspension of flights from Srinagar airport.
Since Friday, moderate to heavy snowfall has been recorded across Kashmir. While on the other hand, Srinagar received the season’s first snowfall.
As per the details available, Srinagar recorded about eight inches of snow, Ganderbal about seven inches, and Sonmarg eight inches of snow. The Zojila axis along the Srinagar-Leh highway received about 15 inches of snow, they said. Areas in Budgam district received 7-10 inches of snow, while the plains in Anantnag district recorded around 17 inches. The tourist town of Pahalgam recorded 18 inches of fresh snowfall.
In Bandipora district of north Kashmir, the plains recorded four inches of snow, while the higher reaches, including Gurez, received 6 to 10 inches of snowfall.
Areas in Baramulla district recorded 4-9 inches of snow, while the famous ski resort of Gulmarg received about 15 inches of snow, the officials said. Kupwara plains received 1-2 inches of snow, and its upper reaches recorded 2-3 inches.
Authorities at Srinagar airport since morning were in the process of clearing snow from the runway. However, flights could not take off.
Due to bad weather conditions, all flights at Srinagar Airport have been cancelled. Passengers are advised to contact the airlines for updates. We regret the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding, Srinagar Airport informed on X.
Train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section were suspended till the afternoon due to heavy snow accumulation on the track, the railway officials said. However, late in the afternoon, railway officials informed us that the train from Budgam to Baramulla and Sangaldan to Banihal ran at its scheduled time.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed for traffic due to snow, the Traffic Department officials said. They added that clearance work was being hampered due to heavy snowfall at the Navyug Tunnel.
On the other hand, men and machinery were working round the clock to ensure power was restored and the road was cleared of snow. Authorities launched snow clearance operations at the respective district headquarters; most of the main roads and roads to hospitals were cleared of snow.
An official said that most of the roads across all the districts in Kashmir have been cleared while work is on to clear the rest.
In the meantime, locals across Kashmir opened doors and their houses to shelter travellers stranded due to heavy snowfall. One such incident was witnessed in the Gund area of Central Kashmir Ganderbal district. A dozen tourists from Punjab found themselves caught in the snowfall on Friday while returning from the Sonamarg area.
Their vehicles became stuck in the snow and with no nearby hotels and local houses too small to accommodate the group. Gund residents opened the doors of the Jamia Masjid, allowing the tourists to stay there for the night. A video of the tourists spending the night inside the mosque has since gone viral.
Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq praised the gesture and said it was heartening to see Kashmiris open their mosques and homes to stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall.
“This gesture of warmth and humanity reflects our longstanding tradition of hospitality and helping others in times of need,” he said on X.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also commended the people of Kashmir for their generosity in assisting stranded tourists during the ongoing snowfall, which has disrupted daily life across the region.
In a statement issued here, PDP General Secretary Mohammad Khurshid Alam expressed appreciation for the Kashmiri people’s enduring spirit of hospitality, stating how residents opened their homes and Masjids to provide shelter, food, and warmth to those in need.
Heavy snowfall also left many tourists stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu highway and at tourist destinations like Doodhpathri and others.
Meanwhile on the other hand, The District Development Commissioner, Shopian has taken strict action against three Assistant Executive Engineers for abandoning their duties during the critical snow clearance operations currently underway in the district.
The engineers, identified as Muhammad Noordin, Zaffar Ahmed, and Muhammad Saleem, have been placed under suspension for their unauthorized absence.
An official inquiry revealed that the engineers, who were supposed to be actively engaged in snow clearance and providing relief to the people, were found outside their designated areas.
The snowfall also affected the power supply in several areas of the valley in the early morning, with many 33kv feeders shut.
Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited restored 95% of 33 KV lines, and 72% of 11 KV lines were restored till 1:00 p.m. Restoration of faulty feeders under progress: Chief Distribution KPDCL posted on X.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed on X, “Out of forty-one 33Kv feeders dysfunctional in Kashmir due to heavy snowfall, thirty-seven have been restored and charged. Similarly, out of 739 dysfunctional 11 Kv feeders, 639 have been restored and recharged, bringing major relief to the valley. The majority of the rest are expected by the evening”.
On Srinagar, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Bilal Mohiuddin announced that power supply had been restored in almost all areas of Srinagar, and snow clearance from all priority roads has been completed following recent snowfall. He also confirmed that essential supplies are available for up to three weeks, and water supply schemes are functioning, with minor issues being addressed in some areas.
On the other hand health services in Kashmir remained uninterrupted amid heavy snowfall.
Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, instructed Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to coordinate with the District Administration to clear snow from approach roads and guarantee staff availability, drugs, and functional heating arrangements.
23,782 patients attended OPDs, 1,019 admissions were recorded with 40 major and 313 minor surgeries conducted, 37 normal deliveries and 39 lower-segment caesarean sections (LSCS) performed. 14,541 laboratory tests and various imaging services were conducted efficiently.
On the other hand, Jammu and Kashmir police extended a hand to commuters and tourists in heavy snowfall, rescued pregnant women and assisted stranded vehicles.
