By: Raja Syed Rather, Umaisar Gul Ganaie
Srinagar, Jan 30: As the harshest 40-day winter period, Chilai-Kalan, ended, the normal life was disrupted on Monday after fresh snowfall in J&K led to the closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway as well as the cancellation of all the flights scheduled for today at Srinagar international Airport while as the weatherman here has predicted more snow till tomorrow in J&K parts.
Director Srinagar Airport, Kuldeep Singh told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that all the 68 flights including 34 arrivals and 34 departures were cancelled today due to the low visibility and continuous snowfall here in Srinagar.
The fresh snowfall occurred on the culmination of the 40-day harshest winter, Chila-i-Kalan, which began on December 21, 2023. Chila-i-Kalan is followed by a 20-day long Chila-i-Khurd (small cold) that occurs between January 30 and February 18 and a 10-day-long Chillai Bachha (baby cold) which is from February 19 to February 28.
Director Meteorological department, Sonum Lotus told KNO that the weather would remain cloudy with possibility of light snow and rain at isolated to scattered places on January 31.
He further said that on February 01, the weather would remain partly cloudy and advised people not to venture out in avalanche prone areas, unless emergency during the next two days as the possibility of avalanches has increased due to heavy snowfall.
It is pertinent to mention here that some areas received moderate to heavy snowfall today, which include Gurez, Machil, Sadhna Top, Karnah, Kupwara, Pahalgam, Srinagar and other areas.
Moreover, the Jammu & Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (JKSDMA) has issued a fresh avalanche warning for 10 J&K districts.
Avalanche with high danger level is likely to occur above 2500 metres above sea level over Doda, Kishtwar & Poonch districts in next 24 hours, the advisory said, adding that avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 1500 to 2500 metres over Bandipore, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam & Ramban districts in next 24 hours.
Avalanche with low danger level is likely to occur above 1500 metres over Anantnag district in next 24 hours, it added.
The snowfall also affected the electricity supply in Kashmir parts with officials saying that the majority of the under fault feeders and tap lines have been restored.
The officials in KPDCL said that 14 feeders of 33 KV, 215 11 KV feeders and some tap lines were under fault due to heavy snowfall. They said that the men and machinery was pressed amid the inclement weather conditions and majority of the feeders have been restored and by this evening the four 33 KV feeders that are under fault at present will also be charged.
The official document available with KNO revealed that 1298 km of road length has been cleared today. Of a total 13101.005 road length to be cleared as per action plan, the authorities have cleared 1298.28 km road length till 4:00 PM today.
The officials in Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) informed that the men and machinery of the corporation has been on the snow clearance job since early morning to ensure hassle free movement of general public and vehicular movement and all the major roads, link-roads, streets and alleys have been cleared of snow—both through machines as well as manually.
However, the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for vehicular movement today amid continuous snowfall. Officials informed KNO that the shooting stones have occurred at multiple places from Banihal sector to Ramban amid heavy snowfall, forcing closure of the highway as precautionary measure.
The Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal Road continued to remain closed since the first week of this month.
The train service from Banihal to Baramulla was also suspended with officials saying that it will remain suspended till snow on the railway track is removed.
Besides, the authorities here also postponed the examinations, skated to be held till January 31.
The University of Kashmir (KU) and Cluster University Srinagar (CUS) postponed all exams that were slated till January 31, saying that they will issue the next date of examination separately.
Controller of Examination of CUS said, “All the examinations of Cluster University Srinagar scheduled till January-31 have been postponed due to inclement weather.”
He said that fresh dates for postponed papers shall be notified separately.
In the meantime, KU’s Controller of Examinations, Dr Majid Zaman in a statement said, “In view of continuous snowfall reported across Kashmir, all examinations of the University of Kashmir, scheduled to be held till January-31 are postponed.”
Zaman said fresh dates for the deferred examinations will be notified separately—(KNO)
