Life in Kashmir came to a halt once again on the last day of ‘Chilla-e-Kalan’, one of the harshest winter spells in the region, on Monday after fresh snowfall across the region. Officials said the snowfall affected both air and ground traffic.
Officials said the snowfall disrupted normal life and cut off the Valley from the rest of the country. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed for traffic due to snowfall and landslides at several places along the arterial road.
According to officials, snowfall started at most places from late Sunday night and continued till the last reports came in. Train services were suspended on the Baramulla-Banihal route due to accumulation of snow on the tracks, he said.
Air, ground traffic remains affected
Officials said air traffic to and from the Valley was affected due to inclement weather as flight operations at the Srinagar airport were suspended. He said the visibility was very low and the runway was covered with snow.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked at several places between Chandrakot and Banihal due to landslides and landslides.
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy snowfall and thunderstorms in the plains of Jammu in the next 12 hours. The rain is expected to reduce gradually from Monday night.
people enjoyed the fresh snowfall
Meanwhile, the minimum temperature across the Valley improved but remained below the freezing point. ‘Chillai-Kalan’ – the harshest winter period of 40 days when the chances of snowfall are maximum and highest – began on December 21 last year. While it ends on January 30, the cold wave continues even after 20 days of ‘Chillai Khurd’ followed by 10 days of ‘Chillai Bachha’.
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