INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
SRINAGAR: Fresh snowfall in various parts of Kashmir impacted flight operations and led to the closure of Jammu-Srinagar national highway on
Friday, cutting off the valley from the rest of the country
Jammu and Kashmir also saw widespread rains on Friday, while avalanche warnings were issued in 10 districts for the next 24 hours.From
Saturday, however, J-K is expected to witness a five-day dry spell, according to the weatherman.All flights to and from Srinagar were
initially suspended and later cancelled after 10 am due to continuous snowfall and poor visibility, an airport official said
The air traffic will resume after the weather improves
The passengers booked on the cancelled flights would be accommodated by the respective airlines in the next available flight at no extra
cost, airport authorities said.The Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the outside world, was
department said in a tweet.The J-K Disaster Management Authority issued avalanche warnings for the next 24 hours as heavy snowfall continued
since morning in the upper reaches of Srinagar and other parts of the valley.Avalanches with high danger level are likely to occur above
2,000 metres in Bandipora and Kupwara districts, with medium danger level above 2,000 metres in Baramulla and Ganderbal districts and with
low danger level above 2,000 metres in Anantnag, Doda, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Poonch and Ramban districts
People living in these areas were advised to avoid venturing out.According to the meteorological department, many parts of J-K saw light to
moderate rains, including Srinagar, Kupwara, Qazigund, Kokernag, Pahalgam, Jammu and Katra.The wet weather slightly pushed up the night
Qazigund and Pahalgam, Kokernag, Gulmarg and Kupwara, too saw, increase in minimum temperatures by varying degrees.According to Mukhtar
Ahmad, deputy director in the meteorological department, the weather conditions would improve in the next few hours in the plains
He said it would remain largely dry from January 14 till January 18.However, a fresh western disturbance was likely to affect J-K and
adjoining areas on January 19-20 and there was a possibility of light to moderate snowfall at most places in Kashmir on January 23, a met
