Relief sweeps through Srinagar as heavy snowfall aftermath is tackled head-on—the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is now traffic-ready, with stranded motorists cleared first. Snow clearance at the international airport is accelerating flight normalcy in the region.
January 23’s deluge around Nawgam Tunnel had sealed the highway shut. Fast-forward to today: roads are passable, and airport ops are revived, save for three pilot-related cancellations to Delhi on Sunday.
Not all paths are safe yet. Srinagar-Leh Highway, Mughal Road, Sinthan, and Razdan Passes stay blocked—mandatory traffic control room advisory required for any plans.
The forecast brings more weather action: January 26-27 could see light snow and rain widely, moderate to heavy locally, with thunderous winds in play. No farming till January 28, and avalanche vigilance in snowy highlands is critical.
Mercury plunged: Srinagar -1.6°C, Gulmarg a biting -10.2°C, Pahalgam -6.2°C. Jammu’s 7.1°C felt balmy by comparison, alongside Katra’s 6.2°C, Batote’s -0.1°C, Banihal’s -2°C, and Bhadrawah’s -4°C.
This precipitation quells long-standing drought fears, blessing orchards, fields, and communities with snowpack that will feed waterways through summer. Plains got their first taste of snow January 23, amid ‘Chilla Kalaan’—the 40-day deep freeze from December 21-January 30.