Snow shuts flight operations at Srinagar Int’l Airport. Kashmir highway closed

Srinagar: As many as 41 flights to and fro Srinagar international airport were cancelled while the major roads including Srinagar-Jammu highway was kept closed the vehicular movement on Wednesday after Kashmir received first major snowfall of this winter season.
However, the local weatherman here has predicted gradual improvement in weather conditions from tomorrow and forecast no major wet spell till the end of February month.
Kashmir Valley received the first major snowfall of this winter season since last evening, bringing the normal life to standstill as both—air as well as the surface traffic remained affected throughout the day.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh said that 41 flights scheduled to and fro Srinagar, were on Wednesday cancelled.
He said that all the flights of all airlines have been cancelled while the passengers will be adjusted in the forthcoming flights in the next available flight.
Moreover, all the major roads including the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for the traffic due to fresh snowfall since last evening.
The men and machinery have, however, been pressed to clear the roads, but the operation continued till late hours as the intermittent snowfall continued till later afternoon.
The decision to close the roads for traffic was taken as a precautionary measure due to the slippery conditions triggered by fresh snowfall.
As per the official statement, the vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar highway will remain suspended Wednesday on Thursday due to huge landslide at Cafeteria Morh, continuous shooting stones at many places between Ramban and Banihal and snow accumulation between NAVYUG tunnel and Qazigund.
The officials appealed to people not to undertake any journey on Jammu-Srinagar highway tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the other roads including Mughal Road, SSG road andKishtwar-Sinthan Road were also closed for vehicular movement in view of snow accumulation.
However, Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus said that the weather conditions have improved since afternoon.
He, however, said that there is a possibility of gradual improvement in weather conditions from Thursday.
“There is no forecast of any major snowfall till the end of February month,” Lotus said