North India has been experiencing a cold wave and dense fog since Monday morning, with the plains of Kashmir receiving substantial snowfall over the past three days, ending a prolonged dry period.
While the meteorological department had predicted only light snowfall, the region was hit with significant snow beginning Friday afternoon and continuing sporadically through Saturday morning. This heavy snowfall disrupted rail, road, and air transport.
Rail services resumed after 1 PM on Saturday, though traffic along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was halted for the entire day. Airport authorities canceled all flights for Saturday due to the severe weather conditions.
An official mentioned to businessline that both air and land transportation resumed on Sunday.
“The runways at Srinagar International Airport have been cleared, and flight operations have restarted,” he stated.
He added that traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was also restored by Sunday morning.
The heavy snowfall transformed the popular tourist spots of Gulmarg and Pahalgam into picturesque winter landscapes, blanketing the towering mountains in soft white snow.
Gulmarg, situated at an altitude of 8,694 feet, received between 13 to 15 inches of snow, while Pahalgam recorded 15 to 18 inches.
This plentiful snowfall has delighted tourists visiting the valley. “We are thrilled! The snowfall has made our trip truly unforgettable,” exclaimed Rakesh Sharma, a visitor from Chandigarh.
In contrast, last winter was nearly snowless in Kashmir, leaving skiers and winter sports enthusiasts disappointed.
Sharif Ahmad Dar, Assistant Manager at Hotel Grand Mumtaz, expressed optimism about a projected increase of 30 to 40 percent in bookings for January 2025. He noted that the hotel was fully booked for New Year’s, but some tourists canceled their reservations due to flight cancellations.
Warm Hospitality
The intense snowfall on Friday night stranded several tourists from Punjab and Maharashtra along the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway. Local residents in the Gund area opened the doors of a large mosque to provide shelter, while others welcomed them into their homes.
“We were freezing. They offered us shelter and assistance in this challenging situation. Their kindness and hospitality are truly remarkable,” shared a grateful tourist with reporters.
