Srinagar, Dec 28 : Kashmir witnessed moderate to heavy fresh snowfall since Friday afternoon, disrupting the air, road and train traffic.

The Srinagar-Jammu highway, which connects the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country was shut for all vehicular traffic due to the snowfall along its stretches, officials of the Traffic Department said.

They said clearance work is hampering due to heavy snowfall near the Nayug tunnel.

“ Man & machinery on job and commuters have been advised to avoid journey till the weather is improve and road is clear,” the traffic department said.

Officials said that several heavy and light motor vehicles are stranded along the highway due to overnight snow and slipper conditions.

The air traffic also remained grounded as no flights could arrive or depart from Srinagar International Airport.

Airport Director Javed Anjum Saturday morning said that 80 percent flights have been cancelled due to the snow.

Train services on the Banihal-Baramulla section were was suspended on Saturday due to snow accumulation on the track, railway officials said.

The spell of the long-awaited snowfall began across the Valley on Friday afternoon and has continued in several parts since then. The intensity of the snowfall has varied from place to place in the region and has been intense in south Kashmir, where two feet of snow has accumulated in several places.

The plains of central Kashmir have recorded a moderate snow spell while north Kashmir have received light to moderate snowfall.

The official at Srinagar Meteorological Centre said nearly six inches of snow had accumulated in Srinagar city.

The weather conditions are expected to improve by the afternoon. However, rain or snow showers may persist in some areas until late afternoon or evening.

The minimum temperature remained close to the freezing point in most parts of valley. The ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius

The snowfall brought relief for the Valley residents who were eagerly awaiting snow. Due to the dry weather, the water levels in rivers and other water bodies had depleted. The dry winter had caused a worry to locals, particularly those living in rural population whose livelihood is mainly dependent on agriculture.

UNI