KU has rescheduled exams that were set for today.
*A tourist has died after being struck by a rolling stone in Ramban.
Fayaz Bukhari/ Govind Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Dec 27: Fresh snowfall affected several regions of Kashmir and the higher altitudes of Jammu today, marking the season’s first snowfall in many areas. This resulted in the cancellation of six flights at the Srinagar Airport and the closure of key roads, including the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. However, rains in the plains of Jammu positively impacted farmers, particularly those in rain-dependent regions. Tragically, a female tourist lost her life due to a falling stone caused by the rains in the Ramban area.
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The snowfall resulted in the cancellation of six flights and the closure of several major routes across the Valley, including the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the Srinagar-Leh Highway, and the Mughal Road. A Meteorological Department official noted that moderate snowfall continued throughout the day in the southern districts of Kashmir due to a new Western Disturbance (WD).
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Many locations, particularly in South and Central Kashmir, including Srinagar, experienced the season’s first snowfall. Srinagar received about 2-3 inches, while Peer Ki Gali, Sinthan Top, Baltal, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam reported the highest accumulations of nearly 10-12 inches of snow.
Qazigund recorded 7-8 inches, Kulgam main town 6 inches, Khudwani Kulgam 7 inches, Shopian main town 5 inches, Anantnag 5 inches, Hakura Anantnag 7 inches, Achabal 7-8 inches, and Tral 4 inches.
—Excelsior/Tilak Raj
The Affarwat mountains overlooking Gulmarg received 16 inches, Kangdori 13 inches, Gulmarg 10 inches, Babareshi 6 inches, Tangmarg 4 inches, Baramulla 3 inches, Gurez 4 inches, Razdan Top 7 inches, and Bandipora 2 inches. Snowfall continued at various locations well into the night.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police issued advisories across different districts, encouraging residents to seek assistance as needed. Approximately 350 vehicles were stranded along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway following its closure due to snow.
Inspector General of Police Traffic, Suleman Choudhary, reported, “Traffic has been halted in Qazigund due to slippery conditions. Roughly 350 heavy vehicles are trapped between Qazigund and the Nayug Tunnel.”
“We are allowing small vehicles to pass and have halted new traffic from Udhampur. Traffic will resume on Saturday morning, depending on road conditions,” he added. The IGP advised commuters to avoid traveling on the highway until the weather improves and the roads are cleared.
The snow caused further disruptions to other key routes, including Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG), Gurez, Zojila, and Sinthan Pass.
An official stated the Sinthan Pass along NH-244 is closed for all vehicles until further notice due to heavy snowfall, with snow clearance operations to start soon. Other roads, including Gurez, Zojila, and Mughal Road, have also been closed. Moreover, the Karnah road has been shut due to icy conditions.
Flight operations in Srinagar were also suspended due to the snowfall. Director of Srinagar International Airport, Javed Anjum, confirmed the cancellation of six flights due to the adverse weather.
Following the snowfall, several areas in Kashmir experienced an increase in unscheduled power cuts. Residents in various locations in the old city and its outskirts reported delays in the restoration of electricity.
Fully smart-metered regions in Anantnag district, such as Malaknag, Hazratbal, Cheeni Chowk, Reshi Bazar, and Khaja Bazar, suffered prolonged outages following the snowfall. While officials claimed most lines and feeders were functioning, locals expressed dissatisfaction over the increase in power cuts.
The western disturbance also brought light to moderate rains to the plains of Jammu, while snowfall was recorded in the higher elevations of Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range. Areas such as Gandoh, Kahara, Thathri, Bhaderwah, Dessa, and Marmar in Doda district encountered fresh snowfall, alongside regions around Gandoh like Chilly, Jakyas, Bunjwah, Kither Patnazi, and Changa. The Jawahar tunnel in Ramban district also saw snowfall, along with elevated areas such as Gool and Sanasar. Fresh snowfall was reported at Sinthan Top in Kishtwar.
Tragically, a female tourist was fatally injured by a rolling stone that struck a bus near Cafeteria Morh on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, while she was traveling from Srinagar to Jammu. The victim, Ruby Aggarwal, sustained severe head injuries and was declared dead on arrival at the District Hospital. She was identified as the wife of Akash Aggarwal from Jawahar Chowk (Uttar Pradesh).
Due to the severe weather conditions, the University of Kashmir (KU) has postponed all exams scheduled for tomorrow (December 28), with new dates to be announced soon, according to a university spokesperson.
Currently, Kashmir is experiencing a cold wave, with temperatures remaining several degrees below freezing, although there has been a slight increase in the night temperatures across much of the valley.
Both minimum and maximum temperatures are below the seasonal norm, causing water supply lines to freeze and forming a thin layer of ice over several water bodies, including the Dal Lake. On Thursday night, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.3 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than the previous night’s minus 7 degrees. Gulmarg, renowned for its skiing, recorded a low of minus 6 degrees, consistent with the previous night. Pahalgam, the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra, saw a low of minus 8 degrees, a slight rise from minus 8.6 degrees last night.
Qazigund logged minus 6.9 degrees, with Konibal in Pampore being the coldest at minus 9.5 degrees. Kupwara recorded minus 6.4 degrees, while Kokernag in south Kashmir marked minus 4.8 degrees. Kashmir is currently in the midst of ‘Chillai-Kalan’, traditionally the harshest winter period, which began on December 21.
Jammu recorded a low of 8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with a daytime high of 15.2 degrees Celsius, which is 4.8 degrees below the normal range. Banihal noted a low of -1.8 degrees and a max of 9.5 degrees, while Batote recorded a low of 2.1 and a max of 9.1 degrees. Katra town in Reasi district logged a low of 7.4 degrees and a max of 14 degrees, while Bhaderwah experienced a low of -0.6 degrees and a max of 6.2 degrees.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department, indicated that generally cloudy conditions with light rain over the plains of Jammu and light snow over the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal range are expected until tomorrow. Light snow is also anticipated in the middle and upper regions, particularly in South and Central Kashmir.
“From December 29 to 31, a dry spell is forecasted. Light snow is expected at isolated locations on January 1 and 2, followed by a chance of light snow at isolated to scattered places from January 3 to 5,” he added.
Anantnag Police rescued nine passengers stranded at Sinthan Top due to heavy snowfall. A Tavera vehicle traveling from Kishtwar to Daksum skidded into a water drain, leaving its occupants trapped. The distress call was made by Fayaz Ahmad, a passenger, prompting a rapid response from a police team, led by the SDPO Kokernag and SHO Kokernag.
“Thanks to the coordinated, swift action by the rescue team, all nine passengers, including the caller, were safely evacuated,” a police statement said.
Anantnag Police urges travelers to exercise caution and stay informed about weather conditions while traveling in snow-affected mountainous areas, emphasizing public safety as their top priority.
In a separate operation, Poonch Police successfully rescued six passengers stranded at Chattapani on Mughal road due to severe snowfall. Two vehicles traveling from Shopian to Surankote had become immobilized in the snow, necessitating assistance from a police team led by the SDPO Surankote and SHO Surankote, along with personnel from ICPP Behramgala.
