Srinagar-Jammu national highway closed; Mata Vaishno Devi shrine also witnessed first snowfall of the season, forcing the authorities to suspend the yatra
Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, jan 23:
Moderate to heavy snowfall was experienced in high-altitude areas, including the famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Jammu region, leading to the suspension of traffic on key roads and disruption of air and rail services.
More than 100 stranded persons were rescued from snowbound areas in Poonch and Udhampur districts, while moderate rains lashed the plains, including Jammu city, bringing an end to a dry spell that had lasted for over two months.
As predicted by the meteorological department, it started snowing in most high-altitude areas late Thursday evening, preceded by gusty winds, while intermittent rains lashed the plains, including Jammu city, throughout the night, officials said.
Intermittent snowfall continued in the upper reaches of Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur and Kathua districts, officials said.
Snowfall ranging from a few inches to over two feet accumulated in some areas.
The higher reaches had recorded snowfall in the last week of December. The fresh precipitation brought relief to the people, especially farmers and tourism stakeholders, ending the dry-spell in the region.
A police official said that 70 people, stranded at Totagali in Mendhar area of Poonch district, were rescued despite adverse weather conditions, ensuring their safety and comfort. Another 30 passengers who were stranded due to heavy snowfall in the Krishna Ghati area were also safely evacuated, he said.
Amid inclement weather conditions, police conducted another rescue operation and saved 12 persons, including women and children, who were stranded in a heavy snowstorm at Chochru Galla in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, the official said.
Meanwhile, in a post on X, Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said, “Season’s first snowfall at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan (atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district). Devotees were blessed to witness breathtaking weather as fresh snow gently adorned the holy surroundings of Maa Vaishno Devi Bhawan and Bhairon Temple, filling the atmosphere with serenity, devotion, and divine bliss”.
The yatra was temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure from both the Tarakote and Banganga tracks, but it has now been restored.
The traffic on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was suspended following fresh snowfall. Thousands of vehicles have been stranded.
“Traffic movement has been stopped in both directions — from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa on Jammu Srinagar national highway (NH-44) due to fresh snowfall in and around the Navyug Tunnel (in Banihal-Qazigund stretch),” a traffic department official said.
“In addition, the Mughal Road, Srinagar-Leh national highway, and Sinthan Roads have also been closed owing to fresh snow accumulation,” the official said.
The official advised commuters to avoid travel until these roads are fully restored and declared safe for traffic. Officials said the rail service between Jammu and Kashmir was also partially affected by heavy snowfall.
“Due to heavy snowfall, only one train each was operated from Sangaldan and Banihal towards Srinagar, while no train could be run from Kashmir towards Banihal as large portions of the railway track remained covered with snow,” Station Master Banihal, Abdul Baseer Bali, said.
Railway authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions and tracking clearance operations. Services will be restored once conditions improve, he said.
Five flights were suspended this morning while several others got delayed at Jammu airport due to inclement weather, the officials said. A total of 32 flights are scheduled to operate to and from the airport during the day.
The officials said the authorities have ordered the closure of all schools in the hilly districts of Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua districts as a precautionary measure in view of the snowfall.
Police have also established dedicated helpline numbers at all district headquarters, they said.
Meanwhile, BSF rescheduled its recruitment drive at its Jammu headquarters from January 24 to February 6 due to waterlogging caused by rainfall.
“Due to continuous heavy rainfall, waterlogging has occurred in and around the BSF Jammu Paloura Camp, affecting the stadium and track. In view of this, the PST/PET (through RFID) for the recruitment of CT/TM in BSF, scheduled to be held on January 24, 2026, has been postponed. The revised date for the examination has now been fixed as February 6, 2026,” a BSF spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, The Udhampur police in Jammu and Kashmir have successfully rescued 12 people, including women and children, who were stuck in heavy snow. Locals, reported to be from mobile families, got stuck amid inclement weather in the Chochru Galla area.
A distress call was received by the police post at Sangh, nearly 12 kilometres from the Chochru Galla area. Following this, officials were rushed to the spot. It took Udhampur police officials three hours to navigate and reach the area where locals were stuck.
Photos and videos shared by the Udhampur Police on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) show locals coming down the hill, bracing the challenging terrain. In a video, police officials are seen holding elderly women and helping them walk safely through the snow.
Following the rescue operation, all 12 were provided with food, shelter and medical assistance at the police post.
The rescue was carried out under challenging conditions as many parts of the region continue to witness heavy snowstorms.
Sharing an update with pictures and videos, the department wrote: “Udhampur Police successfully rescued 12 persons stranded due to heavy snowfall in the upper ridges of Basantgarh area.”
Due to inclement weather and heavy rainfall, all government and private schools of Udhampur district, including primary, middle, high, and higher secondary schools have been shut today. In view of the existing weather conditions, Srinagar Police has established dedicated emergency helpline services to provide immediate assistance and timely response. The following 24×7 emergency contact numbers have been made operational across the Srinagar district:
Landline: 0194-2477567, 0194-2477568
Mobile: 9596222550, 9596222551
