Snowfall across the Kashmir Valley on Friday disrupted flight operations at Srinagar airport, with airlines warning of delays and extended wait times, while key highways and mountain roads were shut due to adverse weather.
In its advisory, IndiGo said both take-offs and landings in Srinagar had been temporarily put on hold due to snowfall, warning that passengers may face longer waits onboard and on the ground.
“To ensure we are ready for departure as soon as we receive clearance, our team may complete boarding formalities in advance,” the airline said, adding that it was closely monitoring the weather conditions.
SpiceJet also warned that all departures and arrivals at Srinagar, along with consequential flights, could be affected and advised passengers to regularly check their flight status.
Meanwhile, adverse weather also hit surface transport, with the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway shut near the Navyug Tunnel and the Mughal and Sinthan roads blocked at several locations due to the heavy snow.
While the heavy snowfall disrupted normal life in the Valley, heavy rain lashed most parts of the Jammu division.
The India Meteorological Department on Thursday said widespread light to moderate snow and rain is likely across Jammu and Kashmir, including the Valley plains, with heavy precipitation likely at isolated places.
The weather activity is expected to peak today, followed by another western disturbance on January 26.
The ski resort of Gulmarg and several other areas, particularly the higher reaches of Kupwara, Baramulla and Shopian, received fresh snowfall, officials said.
On Thursday, many parts of the Kashmir Valley plains, including Srinagar, were lashed by rain and high-speed winds, uprooting trees at multiple locations and prompting precautionary power shutdowns.
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