Heavy Snowfall Grounds All 58 Flights at Srinagar Airport; Will Air Travel Resume?

Heavy snowfall across the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions has severely impacted commercial air traffic, leading to a complete suspension of flights at Srinagar International Airport.

Aviation Operations Halted

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) confirmed the total halt of air operations. All 58 scheduled flights for the day were cancelled. This included 29 arrivals and 29 departures. The decision was made in the interest of passenger safety.

Continuous snowfall and poor visibility rendered the runway unsafe. An AAI official noted the runway was unavailable for safe aircraft operations. Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Alliance Air, Air India Express, and SpiceJet were affected. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded following the cancellations.

Jammu Airport also faced significant disruption. The Director of AAI at Jammu reported seven flights were cancelled. Additionally, five other flights were delayed due to the adverse weather.

Airport teams are actively engaged in snow clearance operations. They are working to make the operational areas fit for flight activity. Officials are hopeful that flight services will resume the following day.

Broader Connectivity Disruption

The same heavy snowfall aviation disruption also crippled ground transport. The crucial Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed to traffic. Snow accumulation near the Navyug Tunnel and other areas forced the closure. Over 500 vehicles, including 100 light motor vehicles, were stranded.

Other major arteries also remain blocked. These include the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway and the Mughal Road. Rail services saw partial disruption, with at least two passenger trains cancelled.

Rescue and Road Restoration

In the mountainous district of Doda, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), also known as GREF, carried out a major rescue. They successfully evacuated over 60 people, including 40 Army soldiers. The personnel were stranded in the snowbound Chhattergalla area. This high-altitude operation, under Project Sampark, cleared approximately 38 km of road.

BRO teams also restored vital road connectivity in the Kandi-Kotranka area of Rajouri district. They cleared up to three feet of snow to resume traffic, including emergency services. The swift response ensured the resumption of movement within 14 hours.

Future Weather Outlook

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning. A new western disturbance weather system is expected soon. This is forecast to affect Jammu and Kashmir on February 1 and 2. It will bring fresh spells of rain and snowfall.

Authorities warn this could again disrupt air traffic and road links. Passengers and airlines must monitor the situation closely. The airline travel advisory is to check flight status before heading to the airport. This is critical for avoiding further delays and ensuring safety.

• Safety First: The AAI prioritized safety, leading to the Srinagar Airport flight cancellations.
• Major Impact: A total of 58 flights were grounded at Srinagar, stranding many tourists.
• Ground Relief: The BRO successfully rescued 60 individuals, including 40 Army personnel, from deep snow.
• Future Risk: A new western disturbance threatens more Jammu and Kashmir air traffic issues on February 1 and 2.

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