Continuous heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir has badly affected the normal life. On Tuesday (January 27), the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed and all flights from Srinagar airport had to be cancelled. People had to face a lot of trouble due to complete stoppage of road and air traffic. It also affected the movement of emergency services and armed forces.

A total of 58 flights have been canceled at Srinagar airport. Which included 29 arrival and 29 departure flights. According to officials, the runway was not safe due to continuous snowfall. Therefore operation of flights was not possible. Due to this, hundreds of tourists got stuck in Srinagar and surrounding areas.

Jammu-Srinagar National Highway closed due to snowfall

Light to moderate snowfall occurred in most areas of the valley, while heavy snowfall was recorded in the higher reaches. A thick layer of snow has accumulated at famous tourist places like Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed due to heavy snow accumulation between Qazigund and Banihal. The work of removing snow from the road is going on. But at present no vehicle is being allowed to pass.

Many trains canceled due to snowfall

Snowfall has also affected railway services. Some trains between Banihal and Budgam had to be canceled earlier. However, after the tracks were cleared, services were resumed within a few hours. The district administration and police have issued control room and helpline numbers to help the people. At many places, policemen were seen carrying patients on stretchers to hospitals on snow-covered roads.

Avalanche warning issued in many districts

The Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain and snowfall in future also. Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority has issued avalanche warning in many districts. Meanwhile, an avalanche occurred in Sonamarg, but there was no news of any casualty.

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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reacted amidst the increasing resentment over the resistance of apple trades in the Kashmir Valley on the Srinagar-Jammu highway and the protests of apple farmers and traders in the Kashmir Valley. He said that if the central government cannot maintain it, then it should hand over this highway to the Jammu and Kashmir government.

Talking to reporters during a ceremony in Srinagar, Omar Abdullah said, “If the central government is not able to restore it even after repeated assurances for the last twenty days, then it should be handed over to the Government of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway to the Jammu and Kashmir government. The highway comes under the jurisdiction of the Government of India. I will deploy a team of engineers present here. “

Omar said that he has failed to completely commissioning the road. He said, “Just, enough. We are patient because they kept assuring us every day (restoration) work, but it did not happen.”

Nitin will talk to Gadkari- CM

He said that he will raise the matter of reinstatement of the highway in front of Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Omar Abdullah said, “I will talk to Union Highways Minister Gadkari today and request that the highway be handed over to us and restored for the movement of trucks.”

Trouble due to poor highway

He said that running just one train is not enough. Omar Abdullah said, “I will request the Railway Minister that a train is not enough. We are grateful to you for starting a train service. It should be run regularly so that fruit growers have the option to take apples by train or road.”

Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has deteriorated due to heavy rains and landslides. Small vehicles are passing through the highway, but there are difficulties for trucks. Officials say that about 10,000 vehicles, including 1000 apple trucks, run on the highway during the fruit season. But due to the current condition of the road, only 700 to 1000 vehicles are able to pass.