Kashmir got a lot of new snow on Tuesday, and the weather quickly made it difficult to get around the Valley. Because snow kept falling on Srinagar International Airport, the runway became unsafe; so, the airport and airlines cancelled all flights coming in and going out that day. Many flights did not fly, and a lot of people – hundreds – were unable to travel as planned.
Airport people said the snow which wouldn’t stop affected how well you could see, and the runway wasn’t good, so planes couldn’t take off or land safely. To be careful, and to keep passengers safe, the airport stopped flights until the runway could be made clear and said to be safe for aircraft. The airport put information on X, telling people to get in touch with the airlines.
How many flights were cancelled and what was the first effect
Roughly 50 flights to and from Srinagar were cancelled on Tuesday – both flights arriving and leaving. Airlines stopped flying as the weather worsened, and some flights that were going to land were also not likely to happen. The large number of cancelled flights stopped tourists and local people from getting home.
Tourists and travellers left stranded
A lot of tourists who had been to the well-known hill places were surprised after visiting at the weekend and for Republic Day. With flights cancelled and the road links for a time closed, several hundred people visiting were still in the Valley, waiting to find out when they could be put on other flights and where they could stay. Airlines and people in the local government are working together to help people affected.
Roads closed and travel generally made difficult
The new snowfall also meant the Srinagar-Jammu main road had to be closed. This makes the travel problem worse, as it reduces the ways people can travel on the ground to get out of the Valley. Local officials closed the road as a safety thing, while they clear the snow and see what the state of things is.
Why the snow came now: a western disturbance
People who study the weather said the heavy and continuing snowfall was because of a western disturbance moving across the northwest of India. Areas around Srinagar had a little to quite a lot of snow, while places higher up had a moderate to large amount of snow, making places like Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam look like places in winter.
Weather warnings and what to expect
The India Meteorological Department has warned of places having isolated thunderstorms with lightning, hail and strong winds of 40-50 kmph across Jammu and Kashmir. The forecasts say more storms and snow could come in the next few days, making it more likely that there will be more flight cancellations or road closures.
What airlines and the airport did
Airlines put out travel warnings and worked on other plans, like putting people on other flights and providing places to stay when they could. Airport officials said they would only restart flights when the runway had been made clear and the technical teams had said it was safe. Passengers were asked to keep up to date using the official channels of airlines and the airport.
Advice for people travelling
If you were going to fly to or from Srinagar, check your flight with your airline before going to the airport. Have your travel papers and details of your booking with you, and be prepared for changes at the last minute. When travelling to hill places in winter, think about travel insurance and bookings that can be changed.
What people in the area think and the time of year
People living there said the snowfall in some areas was unusually strong this season, with reports of a lot of snow building up in parts of the Pir Panjal range. Tourist places got new visitors who had been attracted by the snow, but the same weather that makes nice views also brings problems for transport and services.
How things will get back to normal
Those in charge said flight operations would start again only when the weather improved and the runway was said to be safe for aircraft to move. People clearing snow and airport technical teams will keep an eye on things and give updates as soon as normal operations become possible. For now, people travelling should plan for delays, have other contact numbers with them, and follow official updates. The situation is still changing, and those in charge are making sure passengers are safe while trying to get services going again as quickly as the weather allows.
