Different parts of Jammu and Kashmir Saturday witnessed fresh spells of snowfall leading to disruption of traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. All incoming and outgoing flights at Srinagar International Airport were also cancelled due to poor visibility and continuous snowfall.
Traffic police department on Saturday announced, "No vehicular movement shall be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway from either side in view of shooting stones/mudslides at several places on the highway, snow accumulation around the Jawahar tunnel and inclement weather prediction issued by the MeT department. Due to accumulation of snow and landslides at various locations the traffic will not be allowed to ply on the NH-44 on January 24 (Sunday)".
In Kashmir valley normal life was thrown out of gear due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions. Commuters in Srinagar faced many hardships due to slippery road conditions and traffic jams. In tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam tourists were seen enjoying snowfall and taking adventure rides but hardships of local residents compounded due to breakdown of power supply at many places and absence of medical care facilities.
At several locations jawans of the Indian army, BSF and Jammu and Kashmir police rescued pregnant women,accident victims and locals stranded in the traffic jams on busy roads. Defence spokesman said, "Indian army soldiers carried the wife and newborn of Farooq Khasana of Dardpura, Lolab, for 6km in knee-deep snow & safely rescued them".
The family members and local residents also patted their backs for coming to their timely rescue. BSF jawans rescued accident victims in Boniyar area of North Kashmir's Baramulla district. In Jammu region districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch also witnessed fresh spells of snowfall and several remote areas remained cut off via road links. The UT administration had pressed all its resources to clear the snow from different road links.