Kashmir: Fresh snowfall across parts of the Kashmir Valley on Sunday continued to disrupt daily life, forcing the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway for the third consecutive day, officials said.
The 270-kilometre arterial route, which serves as the primary surface link between Kashmir and the rest of the country, has remained shut since Friday after intense snowfall and icy conditions made travel unsafe. Hundreds of vehicles, including passenger buses and goods carriers, remain stranded at multiple locations along the highway.
Traffic department officials said snow-clearing operations are underway but progress has been slowed due to ongoing snowfall, particularly in the Kulgam sector. “Fresh accumulation is making restoration efforts challenging. It may take some more time before the highway can be reopened safely,” a senior traffic police officer said.
Srinagar city witnessed light snowfall in the early morning hours, adding to the winter chill. The fresh snow coated rooftops, roads and open spaces, while temperatures dipped further, intensifying cold wave conditions across the valley.
Despite the adverse weather, flight operations at Srinagar International Airport continued without interruption. Officials from the Airports Authority of India confirmed that air traffic remained normal, with several flights landing as scheduled. “So far, there has been no disruption to flight services,” an airport official said.
Authorities have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and stay updated through official traffic advisories. Meanwhile, road maintenance teams remain on standby, working round the clock to restore connectivity as soon as weather conditions permit.
