New Delhi: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for the third consecutive day on Sunday due to slippery road conditions. The road’s status will be reviewed later and traffic movement will resume only if deemed safe. Commuters have been advised to get in touch with the Traffic Control Room before starting their journey.
Kashmir is in grip of bone-chilling cold for sometime now. Minimum temperatures recorded today include:
| Location | Temperature (°C) |
| Srinagar | -0.2 |
| Qazigund | -0.4 |
| Pahalgam | -8 |
| Kupwara | -1 |
| Kokernag | -1.8 |
| Gulmarg | -8.5 |
| Sonamarg | -10.8 |
| Zojila | -26 |
| Bandipora | -0.2 |
| Baramulla | -0.3 |
| Budgam | -0.2 |
| Ganderbal | -1.6 |
| Pulwama | 0.2 |
| Anantnag | 0.1 |
| Khudwani | 0.1 |
| Kulgam | -2.1 |
| Shopian | -2.3 |
| Larnoo | -4 |
Despite the scenic beauty of fresh snow, daily life has been severely disrupted. Srinagar airport has remained closed for two days due to low visibility and icy runways, while Jammu airport also reported no flights. Electricity and water supply have been affected in many areas, with broken transmission lines and damaged transformers exacerbating the crisis.
Highway and transport updates
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway is blocked at multiple points, particularly near the Navayug Tunnel, where over a foot of snow has accumulated. Landslides triggered by rain in Ramban have further hindered road clearance efforts. The Mughal Road, another key route, is also impassable.
Teams are working tirelessly to remove snow from major roads in Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam, Kupwara, and Pulwama, among other districts. However, avalanche warnings have been issued for high-altitude regions, including Shopian, Kulgam, and Bandipora.
Stranded tourists rescued by Army
The valley has witnessed heavy to moderate snowfall with Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Rajdan Top receiving 2-3 feet of snow.
In Gulmarg, 68 tourists stranded by the snow were rescued by the Army, while three civilians trapped under snow in Leh were also saved. Authorities in Poonch provided shelter to six travellers, while a mosque along the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway housed a group of tourists from Punjab.
The meteorological department has predicted continued snowfall over the next 24 hours. Residents have been advised to exercise caution and prepare for further disruptions as Kashmir braces for another wave of wintry weather.
