Jammu-Srinagar Highway Partially Reopens After Heavy Snowfall

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, vital for connecting Kashmir with the rest of India, has partially reopened on Wednesday for light motor vehicles, a day after heavy snowfall forced its complete closure. Cleaning operations are ongoing on critical sections of the 270 km highway, including the use of salt and urea, to ensure full restoration. Flights at Srinagar Airport, which were also disrupted by the heavy snow, have resumed. Kashmir is currently in the final phase of 'Chilla-i-Kalan,' a 40-day period of intense winter cold concluding on January 30. Most areas have recorded temperatures several degrees below freezing, with tourist spots like Gulmarg and Sonamarg seeing lows of -9.8 degrees Celsius. The meteorological department forecasts light rain or snow in some areas on Wednesday, followed by dry, cloudy weather until January 31, with a new Western Disturbance expected to bring more precipitation on February 1.