Snowfall brings NH-44 to standstill, hundreds of vehicles stranded on Jammu-Srinagar highway

Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded as the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) stayed shut for the second consecutive day due to heavy snowfall and slippery road conditions.

Fresh snowfall disrupted normal life in several areas, including Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, Batote, Banihal, and Gool. Power and water supply, communication services, and road connectivity were badly affected, while many markets remained closed due to low movement of people and vehicles.

Several remote areas ofthe  Ramban district continued to remain cut off. Air travel was also hit, with multiple flights at Srinagar Airport were cancelled on Friday.

In Doda district's Bhalesa area, authorities advised residents to stay indoors as heavy snowfall continued and temperatures dropped below zero. Officials said up to one foot of snow was recorded in the plains, while higher reaches received two to three feet. Only emergency services are being allowed until conditions improve.

Power supply restored after snowfall

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Saturday said that the restoration of essential services across the Valley was progressing rapidly following widespread snowfall.

Power supply and road connectivity have been restored in most areas, he said.

Garg stated that all power stations were expected to be fully operational by Saturday, with repair work on damaged lines and infrastructure continuing around the clock. Snow clearance operations are ongoing on major and interior roads to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Both train and air services are now functional, reducing weather-related disruptions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to maintain uninterrupted services.

He added that while the Valley experienced widespread snowfall, Srinagar city received comparatively less. Garg commended the public for safely navigating the snowfall and praised the coordinated efforts of government departments in managing the situation.

Most parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, including the season's first in Srinagar city. While the plains recorded light to moderate snowfall, the upper areas and higher reaches of the Valley experienced moderate to heavy snowfall.

Flights resume from Srinagar Airport

After remaining shut for a day, flights resumed from Srinagar Airport on Saturday.

"A smooth landing at 1100 hrs. Srinagar Airport welcomes its first flight of the day. All is normal now — the big bird has returned to the Valley," the official spokesperson of Srinagar Airport posted on the airport's official social media handle.

Earlier, the spokesperson had said, "The Indian Air Force has lifted the NOTAM for commercial operations. The Airports Authority of India, in close coordination with the BRO, has successfully cleared the apron and taxiways. A joint inspection is currently underway, and flight operations are expected to resume shortly, subject to safety clearance. Passengers are advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest updates."

Restoration of power supply continues on a war footing

Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) machinery has been deployed in the field and is working with full efficiency and determination to restore power supply to all affected areas.

According to an official statement by KPDCL, high-speed gusty winds and heavy snowfall severely damaged the electrical network at many locations. Restoration could not be undertaken in several areas on Friday due to road blockades caused by heavy snowfall and limited accessibility.

The restoration process, being carried out on a war footing, is exhaustive in nature and involves clearing collapsed rooftops from electrical lines, repairing HT and LT networks, and replacing damaged distribution transformers (DTs).

At the sub-transmission level, 120 out of 135 (about 90 per cent) 33 kV lines have been restored, thereby energising nearly 90 per cent of the network at this level.

Similarly, at the distribution level, 912 out of 1,302 11 kV feeders have been energised, and power supply has been restored to areas fed by these feeders.

Further, teams have been deployed to restore power supply to the higher reaches of Shopian, Kulgam, and Budgam, which were badly affected by gusty winds and heavy snowfall.

Additionally, damage to a transmission tower at Sheeri on the Delina–LJHP 132 kV transmission line has constrained restoration efforts. JKPTCL (Kashmir) is actively engaged in restoring the line by erecting an Emergency Restoration System (ERS), after which power supply to the areas of Baramulla and Uri will be restored.