Heavy snowfall cuts off Kashmir Valley from rest of nation (Pics)

Srinagar, March 11: Kashmir Valley on Tuesday was cut off from rest of the country due to heavy snowfall, as the arterial Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed while flights to the city airport here could not operate.

Heavy snowfall has been reported from across the Valley with Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, also getting nearly one foot of snow since last night.

The snowfall has led to closure of the 294-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only all weather road link between the valley and rest of the country, a traffic department official said.

He said the ongoing snowfall was hampering the road clearance operations.

An official of the airport authority of India said no flight has been able to arrive at Srinagar airport since this morning due to the snowfall.

"No flights have been cancelled so far but if it continues to snow, the chances of any flights arriving here are bleak," he added.

The authorities closed the schools for two days while Kashmir University has postponed all the exams scheduled for the day.

The snowfall and rains since yesterday have affected normal life in the Valley as people preferred to stay indoors today.

Many roads of the city including commercial hub of Lal Chowk and Exhibition crossing have been inundated and people are facing difficulty in moving around.

MeT department has forecast rain or snowfall in most parts of Kashmir over the next 24 hours.

In Srinagar

Snow being cleared from a footpath after heavy snowfall in Srinagar on Tuesday. Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall prompting authorities to suspend traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

In Srinagar

A man walks on a snow covered road during heavy snowfall in Srinagar on Tuesday. Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall prompting authorities to suspend traffic on Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

In Qazigund

Kashmiri Women hold umbrellas as they walk on a snow covered road during a heavy rainfall in the valley, at Qazigund, Anantnag on Tuesday.

In Srinagar

A woman covers herself holding an umbrella as people lit up fire to keep themselves warm after a heavy snowfall, at Budshah Chowk in Srinagar on Tuesday.

In Srinagar

Tourists enjoy a walk at a Mughal Garden after a light snowfall in Srinagar on Monday.

In Srinagar

View of a snow covered road after a snowfall in Srinagar on Monday.

In Srinagar

Tourists enjoying Shikara ride after a snowfall at Dal Lake in Srinagar on Monday.

In Srinagar

Rooftop of house boats laden with snow, on the banks of River Jhelum, after a snowfall in Srinagar Monday.

PTI