With Shikaras parked in a row, a boatman attempts to clear the path on Dal Lake banks as Srinagar receives first snowfall of 2019. Photo/Javed Khan
Srinagar, Jan 04: The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed Friday as a precautionary measure as the road was rendered slippery due to fresh snowfall, a Traffic department official said. Air traffic was also hit at Srinagar airport in the afternoon due to poor visibility fresh snowfall.
Moderate to heavy snowfall began across Kashmir this afternoon, bringing relief to the residents from dry weather.
“It has been snowing across Kashmir since afternoon. The men and machinery have been geared up for timely clearance of roads and ensuring minimal disruption in essential services,” an official of the divisional administration said.
Vehicular movement has been stopped on the highway and a decision on resuming the traffic will be taken only after improvement in the weather conditions, the Traffic department official said.
Although there was a brief spell of snowfall Wednesday, the fresh downpour has effectively ended the dry weather conditions in the Valley which had led to an increase in common ailments like flu, cough and breathing problems, especially among children and elderly.
The snowfall has brought cheers on the faces of people associated with tourism trade who feel more tourists will now visit Kashmir this winter.
Air traffic was also hit at Srinagar airport on Friday afternoon due to poor visibility following fresh snowfall.
Reports said that several flights were suspended due to poor visibility in the afternoon even as flight operations functioned normally today morning.
Weatherman has predicted rains and snow in the Valley in next 48 hours.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Friday issued an avalanche warning for nine districts of Kashmir division in view of the inclement weather and snowfall.
The warning has been issued for the avalanche-prone areas in district Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kargil and Leh.
In an official press release today, the Divisional Commissioner has asked the Deputy Commissioners of all these districts to advise the people living in avalanche-prone areas not to venture out during the snowfall.
They have also been directed to take all the precautionary measures and to keep the SDRF, police and para-medical staff with ambulances in readiness to deal with any untoward incident.
