Kashmir Snowfall Alert: Flights delayed, highways blocked as heavy snowfall wreaks havoc in Jammu and Kashmir

Snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir woke up to a winter wonderland on Friday, February 28, 2025, but the overnight snowfall also threw the region’s transport networks into disarray. Flights were delayed, highways were shut, and train services were disrupted as a thick blanket of snow covered large parts of the valley, officials said.

While the plains were drenched in rain, the higher altitudes—including tourist hotspots Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam—were buried under moderate to heavy snowfall. Even Srinagar received a dusting of snow, adding to the winter spectacle.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the valley’s lifeline to the rest of the country, was blocked due to snow accumulation between Ramsoo and Qazigund, with landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones making travel dangerous, officials said. Key alternative routes, including the Srinagar-Leh highway, SSG Road, and Mughal Road, were also shut down due to extreme weather conditions.

Flight operations at Srinagar Airport were thrown into chaos, with all morning flights delayed. However, services resumed after 11 a.m. as the weather showed signs of improvement. The Budgam-Baramulla train service was also affected due to heavy snow accumulation on the tracks.

Despite the disruptions, the meteorological department has offered a glimmer of hope, predicting improved weather from Friday afternoon, which could help in restoring normalcy to the valley.