42 flights cancelled, only 2 operated; MeT issues ‘Orange’ alert
By: Owais Gul
Srinagar: At least 41 domestic and one international flight were cancelled due to poor visibility while most parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall, bringing down the temperature further across the Valley. The local Meteorological department has also issued Orange alert as the present weather system of snowfall is expected to “intensify”.
Director Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh informed that 42 flights including one international flight scheduled to and from Srinagar airport, were cancelled today.
He said that 43 domestic flights were scheduled to and from Srinagar international airport, adding that 41 were cancelled while the operation of remaining two flights is possible as the weather has improved a bit.
Meanwhile, officials said that the passengers of the cancelled flights shall be rescheduled in the next available flight of the concerned airlines and that there will be no extra charges for rescheduling.
In the evening hours, two flights were operated as the visibility had improved to a large extent, officials said.
Moreover, most parts of Kashmir including the famous ski-resort Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Srinagar and others experienced fresh snowfall, bringing down the temperature further.
The weatherman has predicted more snow and rains till January 09, 2022. The officials from Meteorological department (MeT) said that there is a possibility of light to moderate snowfall in J&K and Ladakh till January 09, 2022.
As per the advisory, two successive Western Disturbances most likely to affect J&K and Ladakh till January 09. The main activity would be on January 05 and January 08, it said, adding that the system is likely to cause heavy rain/snow in Pirpanjal range of Jammu division (from Bhaderwah to Banihal), upper reaches of Kashmir (Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Baramulla and Kupwara and Drass sub division of Ladakh Union Territory).
The advisory maintained that the fresh snowfall would disrupt surface and air transport including Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only road connecting the Valley with the rest of the States.
There is a possibility of avalanches and landslides in vulnerable areas and also disruption of power in hilly areas as well, it said, appealing people not to venture out in sloppy areas during snowfall.
Meanwhile, authorities said that the major roads including Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road and others shall remain closed for the traffic in view of snow accumulation.
Although the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only road connecting Valley with rest of the Valley was open for traffic, the officials, however, appealed people to undertake journey along the highway only after confirming the status of the road from traffic control units. (KNO)
