Heavy rain in the plains and moderate to heavy snowfall in many hilly areas of the Jammu region on Thursday severely disrupted normal life. Due to harsh weather conditions, more than 60 people were rescued, five flights were cancelled, and the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway along with several other roads remained closed because of snowfall and landslides.
Moderate to heavy snowfall was reported in high-altitude areas including the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, tourist destinations such as Patnitop, Sanasar and Bhaderwah, and other regions like Pancheri, Latti, Dudu-Basantgarh, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban-Banihal, Gool-Mahore, Doda-Kishtwar, and the Bani subdivision of Kathua district. The snowfall led to the suspension of traffic on key roads and caused major disruption to air, rail and road connectivity.
Officials said that due to snowfall and bad weather, train services on the Katra–Reasi–Banihal section and further towards the Kashmir Valley were suspended. Meanwhile, over 3,000 vehicles remained stranded between Jammu and Srinagar, including Udhampur and Dhar Road areas, as the National Highway has been closed since late Wednesday night.
Several important roads were blocked due to snowfall and landslides, including the Batote–Kishtwar highway, Mughal Road connecting Poonch and Rajouri with Kashmir, Reasi–Mahore–Budhal, Mahore–Gool–Ramban, Udhampur–Ramnagar–Basantgarh, and Chenani–Latti–Dudu roads. In the Chenab Valley, roads such as Kishtwar–Sinthan–Kukernag, Kishtwar–Paddar, and Doda–Bhaderwah–Bani–Pathankot highway were also closed due to heavy snowfall.
Traffic on the Jammu–Poonch highway remained suspended for three to four hours on Thursday morning because of snowfall and slippery conditions at Bhimber Gali. Later in the day, GREF authorities cleared the snow and restored traffic. Roads including Rajouri–Thanamandi–Dera Gali–Bafliaz–Surankote, Mandi–Loran, Mandi–Sawjian, and Poonch–Mendhar also remained closed.
Rescue operations were carried out in snow-bound areas of Poonch and Udhampur districts, where more than 60 stranded people were safely evacuated. Of these, over 47 people were rescued from Bhimber Gali, Dera Gali, Banihal and Gool areas by the Army and police.
Meanwhile, moderate rainfall was recorded in the plains, including Jammu city, bringing relief and ending a dry spell that had lasted for more than two months.
Authorities have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel and follow weather advisories as restoration work continues.
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