Srinagar, Jan 21(KNS): Most parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Saturday leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway and impacting flight operations to and from the Valley.
An official told the Kashmir News Service (KNS), that the snowfall was recorded at tourist towns of Pahalgam and Gulmarg, as well as in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, Budgam, and the upper areas of Kupwara, Ganderbal and Srinagar.
The official said that the traffic movement stopped from both ends on Jammu Srinagar NHW in view of road blocked at Panthyal due to continuous shooting stones.
"All flights at the Srinagar airport are delayed due to low visibility after fresh snowfall on Saturday morning," the official said, adding that airport authorities said that flights have been delayed due to inclement weather.
They said that operations will commence once the weather improves. "Widespread light to moderate rain/snow is expected in J&K during the next 24 hours,” the MeT department said.
Notably, the Kashmir is currently under the grip of 'Chillai Kalan', the 40-day harshest weather period when chances of snowfall are maximum and most frequent.
Chillai Kalan begins on December 21 and ends on January 30. The cold wave continues even after that with a 20-day-long 'Chillai Khurd' and a 10-day-long 'Chillai Bachha' following it.(KNS).