Jammu and Kashmir breathes a sigh of relief as the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopens following days of heavy snowfall disruptions. Priority is being given to vehicles stuck on the route, while snowplows work tirelessly at Srinagar Airport to restore air connectivity.
Closure hit on January 23 when snow piled up around the Nawgam Tunnel, halting all movement. Now, with the highway cleared, normalcy is returning step by step. Srinagar Airport has resumed operations, barring three Delhi flights canceled due to crew shortages on Sunday.
However, caution is advised: Srinagar-Leh Highway, Mughal Road, Sinthan Pass, and Razdan Pass roads are still off-limits. Traffic control room clearance is mandatory before any travel attempts on these stretches.
Looking ahead, the meteorological office predicts intermittent rain and snow from January 26-27, ranging from light to heavy in isolated pockets, possibly with gusty winds and thunder. Agricultural work is suspended until the 28th for farmers, and high-risk avalanche areas in elevated regions are no-go zones.
Chilly nights prevailed with Srinagar at -1.6°C minimum, Gulmarg shivering at -10.2°C, and Pahalgam at -6.2°C. Jammu stayed milder at 7.1°C, while Katra logged 6.2°C, Batote -0.1°C, Banihal -2°C, and Bhadrawah -4°C.
The timely snowfall ends worries after a long dry phase, replenishing vital water sources for the warmer months ahead. This marks the season’s first snow in the plains on January 23, during the peak of ‘Chilla Kalaan’—the 40-day harsh winter from December 21 to January 30.