Jammu: Persistent snowfall across parts of Jammu and Kashmir has severely disrupted daily life, particularly in Doda district and along the vital Jammu–Srinagar corridor, where traffic has remained suspended for the second consecutive day, officials said on Saturday.
In the Bhalesa belt of Doda, heavy snow continued unabated for over 24 hours, prompting the local administration to issue safety advisories. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gandoh urged residents to remain indoors as temperatures plunged below the freezing point and mobility became increasingly hazardous. Nearly one foot of snow has accumulated in lower areas, while higher reaches are blanketed under two to three feet of fresh snowfall, bringing essential services to a standstill.
Electricity and water supply were severely affected, with multiple villages reporting prolonged outages. Road connectivity has also been badly hit, as landslides, fallen trees and thick snow cover rendered highways and link roads impassable. Authorities have restricted movement to emergency vehicles only until conditions improve.
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), a lifeline connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, remained closed for the second straight day due to slippery stretches and safety concerns. Traffic was halted at multiple points, including Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur, as a precautionary step.
Several popular tourist destinations in the Jammu region — including Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar and Batote — experienced intense snowfall, leading to near-complete shutdown of daily activities. Markets remained largely deserted, and many shopkeepers in Batote kept their establishments closed for the second day.
In Ramban district, the sudden weather onslaught exposed gaps in preparedness, with limited snow-clearing equipment and insufficient manpower affecting restoration efforts. Remote tehsils such as Batote, Banihal, Gool, Ukhral and Rajgarh continued to remain cut off from the district headquarters.
Air travel was also impacted, as Srinagar Airport, along with IndiGo Airlines, announced temporary suspension and cancellation of several flights owing to poor visibility and runway conditions.
Although brief spells of sunshine were recorded earlier in the day, raising hopes of gradual restoration of services, authorities said ongoing snowfall and rain continue to pose challenges. Officials reiterated that all traffic on NH-44 would remain suspended until road conditions stabilise, urging commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories.
Emergency response teams remain on high alert as weather conditions continue to evolve across the region.
