JAMMU, Jan 24: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) remained closed for the second consecutive day on Saturday as heavy snowfall and icy road conditions brought normal life to a standstill in Jammu’s hill regions.
Resorts and tourist spots including Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, Batote, Banihal, and Gool saw disruptions to transport, electricity, water supply, and telecommunications. While a brief sunny spell provided some relief, traffic and services remain severely affected.
Markets in Ramban district, particularly in Batote, were largely deserted, forcing shopkeepers to keep their outlets closed. Many tourists, especially snow enthusiasts, enjoyed the snowfall in open areas they could access.
Authorities reported that the Ramban district administration struggled to keep up with the intensity of the snowfall. Road-clearing equipment and staff from Jammu Power Development Corporation Ltd (JPDCL) and Jal Shakti Vibhag were insufficient to restore services immediately. Remote tehsils such as Batote, Banihal, Gool, Ukhral, and Rajgarh remain cut off from district headquarters.
The highway was initially closed on Friday after heavy rain and snowfall, with additional traffic halted at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur as a precaution due to slippery roads. Snowfall also disrupted air travel, with Srinagar Airport and IndiGo Airlines suspending several flights temporarily.
In Doda district, heavy snow continued for a second day in Bhalesa, prompting the SDM Gandoh to advise residents to stay indoors. Temperatures dropped below zero, with hilly regions recording two to three feet of snow and plains seeing nearly a foot. Landslides, fallen trees, and snow accumulation have blocked roads, allowing only emergency services to operate.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely as efforts to restore essential services and clear highways remain underway.