J&K, Himachal & Uttarakhand snowfall: Western disturbance worsens winter in North India; Flights cancelled, 700+ roads blocked, and more updates

Winter made a strong comeback across the Himalayan belt as a fresh Western Disturbance swept through North India, bringing heavy snowfall and rain to Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The sudden spell of harsh weather threw normal life out of gear, grounding flights, blocking key highways and leaving thousands of commuters stranded across the hill states.

From closed airports in Srinagar to snow-covered roads in Shimla and fresh snowfall in Kedarnath, the changing weather pattern has once again highlighted the vulnerability of mountain regions during winter months.

Jammu & Kashmir: Flights Cancelled, Highway Closed After Heavy Snow

Jammu & Kashmir witnessed widespread snowfall from Monday night, continuing intermittently through Tuesday. The weather disruption led to the complete closure of the crucial Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), leaving thousands of travellers stranded.


According to officials, heavy snow accumulation near the Navyug Tunnel at Qazigund and the Banihal stretch forced authorities to suspend vehicular movement for safety reasons.

The impact was also felt at the Srinagar International Airport, where all 58 flights, 29 arrivals and 29 departures, were cancelled due to poor runway conditions. Continuous snowfall made it unsafe for aircraft operations.

The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police issued an advisory urging commuters to avoid travelling on NH-44 until clearance operations are completed and the road is declared safe.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Disaster Management Authority (JKUTDMA) issued avalanche warnings for 11 districts, including:

• Ganderbal
• Anantnag
• Bandipora
• Baramulla
• Kulgam
• Kupwara
• Doda
• Kishtwar
• Poonch
• Rajouri
• Ramban

These warnings remain in effect till Tuesday evening.

Himachal Pradesh: Over 700 Roads Blocked, Power and Water Hit

Himachal Pradesh has also been severely affected by the fresh spell of rain and snowfall. According to state officials, 711 roads, including three national highways, are currently blocked.

Shimla and nearby hill towns experienced continuous rainfall, disrupting daily life and affecting power and water supply. Around 861 power transformers and 163 water supply schemes were reported to be affected across the state.

State minister Jagat Singh Negi said the snowfall came after a prolonged dry spell and was much needed for agriculture and horticulture.

“There was a drought-like situation earlier. This snowfall and rain will benefit farmers and orchardists,” he said, while also acknowledging the challenges caused by blocked roads and disrupted services.

Authorities have deployed machinery and manpower to restore connectivity, with restoration work underway on a war footing.

Uttarakhand: Second Snowfall in a Week Blankets Upper Reaches

Uttarakhand also witnessed fresh snowfall, especially in the higher-altitude regions. Snowfall was reported from Badrinath in Chamoli, Kedarnath in Rudraprayag, and the surrounding peaks.

The upper reaches of Uttarkashi, including Bandarpunch and nearby mountain ranges, also received fresh snow. Cloudy conditions prevailed in Gangotri and Yamunotri, while lower areas such as Dehradun remained dry.

This marks the second snowfall in Uttarakhand within a week, following heavy snow on January 23 that had already blanketed the region.

Authorities on Alert as Weather Remains Unstable

With more rain and snowfall predicted, authorities across all three states have stepped up monitoring efforts. Disaster response teams, road-clearing machinery and local administrations are on standby to handle emergencies.

Travellers are advised to:

• Avoid non-essential travel
• Follow official weather updates
• Check road and flight status before planning journeys
• Follow local advisories strictly

As winter tightens its grip on the Himalayas, residents and tourists alike are urged to remain cautious while authorities continue efforts to restore normalcy.

Inputs from agencies