*NH-44 restored fully, flights resume at Sgr
Irfan Tramboo/Govind Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Jan 28: Normalcy began returning across Jammu and Kashmir today as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was fully restored for traffic and flight operations resumed at Srinagar Airport after weather-related disruptions. This came even as an avalanche struck the Sarbal area of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district and a tragic landslide in Kishtwar claimed the lives of around seven dozen sheep and goats.
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Traffic on the 270-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the only all-weather road link between the Kashmir valley and the rest of the country, was fully restored a day after it was closed due to heavy snowfall. Officials said that following improvement in weather and road conditions, light motor vehicles were first allowed to move from Qazigund towards Jammu, and stranded vehicles were cleared on priority. Subsequently, heavy motor vehicles, including trucks, were also permitted, and passenger traffic was allowed in both directions.
“The Highway has been restored fully, and traffic is plying smoothly in both directions,” an official said, adding that commuters have been advised to strictly follow lane discipline, avoid overtaking and adhere to traffic advisories to prevent congestion and ensure safety.
Despite the recent spell of adverse weather, train services across Kashmir remained unaffected and operated smoothly. Flight operations at Srinagar Airport, which were briefly delayed in the morning due to snowfall and low visibility, also resumed. Airport authorities said that the runway, taxiway and apron were cleared in time, and air traffic is currently normal, though a few morning flights were delayed. “Visibility remained slightly low due to haze, but operations are stable,” officials said. Click here to watch video
In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, an avalanche struck near the Sarbal area and the New Truck Yard in Sonamarg late Tuesday night, between 10:13 and 10:15 pm. Officials said the avalanche was triggered by heavy snowfall over the past week. Fortunately, no loss of life or property was reported. Police teams, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), rushed to the spot to assess the situation and ensure safety.
The avalanche was captured on CCTV cameras installed at nearby hotels, and the videos later circulated on social media. Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored and precautionary measures are in place. Ganderbal Police, in an advisory, urged the public, tourists and transporters to strictly avoid visiting or halting in avalanche-prone areas, warning that the risk of avalanches remains very high along the Sonamarg axis and adjoining areas.
A tragic incident, however, was reported from Kishtwar district, where around seven dozen sheep and goats were killed after a landslide hit a temporary animal shed near Hasti Pul on the Kontwara side. As per reports, amid heavy snowfall and rain around 2:30 am last night, a landslide occurred near Hasti Bridge on the right bank of the Chenab river. A temporary shed belonging to Sachin Kumar, son of Munshi Ram of Bhatkoot Kontwara, came under the debris, resulting in the death of a large number of livestock.
Locals immediately launched rescue efforts after receiving information, and officials from the civil administration and police reached the spot soon. According to Sachin Kumar, he lost 20 sheep, 50 goats and 17 lambs in the incident. Fortunately, no human life was lost.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre Srinagar said that weather conditions across Kashmir improved today as precipitation eased. The past 24 hours witnessed widespread light to moderate rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, with heavy rain or snow reported at isolated places.
The Weather department has forecast generally dry conditions from January 29 to the evening of January 31, although skies may turn cloudy towards the latter part of January 31. A fresh spell of weather activity is likely between February 1 and 2, bringing generally cloudy conditions along with light to moderate rain or snowfall at scattered to fairly widespread places. From February 3 to 6, weather conditions are expected to remain partly cloudy.
Interestingly, the recent snowfall and rainfall have significantly reduced J&K’s seasonal rainfall deficit. According to the India Meteorological Department, the region has recorded 73.4 mm of rainfall against a normal of 84.9 mm, marking a deficit of 13 percent-an improvement from near-total deficit conditions earlier this season. The IMD has now classified the meteorological subdivision under the “normal” rainfall category, offering relief to agriculture and water resources, though some districts continue to face large deficits and require close monitoring.
Snow depth across higher reaches remains substantial, with over 8 feet recorded at Peer Ki Gali and Sadhna Top, 7-8 feet at Sinthan Top, 6 feet at Chiranbal, 5-6 feet at Doodhpathri and Yousmarg, 5 feet at Dubjan (Heerpora) and Aharbal, and 3-4 feet in Shopian, Sonamarg and Gulmarg. Elsewhere, 2-3 feet of snow was reported at Kund in Kulgam and at Pahalgam.
Gulmarg-Kashmir’s premier ski resort-has once again come alive after fresh snowfall blanketed the Valley in white, leading to a sharp revival in winter tourism. Hoteliers said hotel occupancy has crossed 90 percent for the first time since the Pahalgam terror attack last year, which had brought tourist activity to a near standstill and left the usually vibrant Gulmarg bowl largely deserted for months.
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