Windstorms, Heavy Snow Bring Kashmir to a Standstill

Suhail Khan

Srinagar, Jan 23: A combination of intense windstorms and heavy snowfall, fuelled by successive Western Disturbances, paralysed the Kashmir Valley over the past two days. The weather caused extensive damage to infrastructure, snapped power and transport links, and plunged the valley into one of its most disruptive winter crises in recent years.
The weather system, which intensified rapidly from late Thursday through Friday, brought life to a near standstill across urban centres, rural belts, and mountainous areas. It marked a dramatic shift from a prolonged dry spell to a severe winter onslaught, with heavy to very heavy snowfall blanketing districts from Srinagar and Budgam to Baramulla, Kupwara, Shopian, Anantnag, and Kulgam.
Srinagar recorded its first major snowfall of the season, with 3–4 inches of accumulation, while higher reaches such as Gulmarg, Shopian, and parts of Kupwara were buried under 2–5 feet of snow. Isolated pockets in Shopian and north Kashmir reported staggering accumulations of 5–6 feet within just 15 hours.
Compounding the snowfall were fierce windstorms that swept through multiple districts. These winds uprooted trees, blew off rooftops, collapsed boundary walls, and damaged vehicles. The power infrastructure suffered a cascading collapse, with all 33 kV feeders across the Valley tripping. The active power load plummeted from the usual 1,700 MW to below 100 MW, leaving over 80% of the region in darkness.
The office of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah posted on ‘X’: “As per KPDCL, the active power load in the valley is less than 100 MW as against the usual 1700 MW… Teams are on the job for rectification, but extensive tree fall on the lines and the windy conditions are major hurdles.” Restoration efforts by the Power Development Department were hampered by continuing gusts and blocked access.
Power supply across large parts of Kashmir has been largely restored following disruption caused by gusty winds and heavy snowfall, Managing Director of KPDCL Mehmood Ahmad Shah said on Friday. He said the power system is now “largely operational,” with Srinagar—which accounts for nearly 40 percent of the Valley’s total energy consumption—witnessing restoration of about 95 to 96 percent. “All across the valley, around 65 percent of the system has been restored, and most people are receiving near-normal power supply,” he added.
He said that the normal load during this period remains around 1,700 to 1,800 megawatts, while nearly 1,100 megawatts is currently being supplied to consumers. “This clearly indicates that around 65 percent of the system has been restored and most people are receiving near-normal power supply,” Shah stated.
Shah said that restoration in far-flung and snow-bound areas, where heavy snowfall has led to road closures, will begin on Friday as soon as access becomes possible. He added that snowfall is still continuing in some upper reaches, particularly in higher areas of Baramulla district, and restoration there will commence once conditions permit the movement of teams.
He said the major impact on the power infrastructure was caused not just by snowfall but by the intense windstorm, “an intensity witnessed after many years.” “Our teams were already on alert, and from early morning, right from the crack of dawn, ground staff was deployed in the field. Due to their continuous efforts, substantial restoration was achieved within a single day,” he said.
Shah said that the Power Department has now developed a system that enables immediate restoration, and the earlier situation of prolonged outages lasting several days no longer exists. “Power supply during this winter and the previous winter has been significantly better. Due to ongoing hardening works, not only have supply hours increased, but the quality of power has also improved,” he said, adding that by 2026, most areas are expected to receive much better power supply.
Regarding damage assessment, Shah said preliminary reports estimate losses of around ₹5–6 crore due to damage to poles and transmission lines, though detailed assessments are still underway in several areas. “Once all data is consolidated, the final figures will be shared with the government,” he stated.
He also said the department remains well-prepared for winter conditions with adequate buffer stock, ensuring immediate restoration without dependence on market procurement. Appreciating the efforts of ground staff, he said restoration is only possible because of their dedication and hard work, adding that providing them with safety gear remains a continuous process.
Air and road connectivity were severely hit. Srinagar’s International Airport cancelled all flights due to near-zero visibility. The critical Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was shut in both directions after heavy snow accumulation and landslide risks in the Banihal-Ramban sector. The Srinagar-Leh highway (NH-1D) was closed at Zojila Pass, while the Mughal Road and the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag route were also rendered impassable.
The Katra-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express, however, continued to operate, with railway staff working to clear snow from the tracks. In Jammu’s higher reaches, including Poonch and Udhampur, moderate to heavy snowfall blocked several roads and prompted rescue operations for over 100 stranded individuals.
The India Meteorological Department had issued a heavy snowfall warning for January 22–23 and an orange alert for gusty winds (40–50 km/h), thunderstorms, and possible hailstorms for the Pir Panjal range, Chenab Valley, and south Kashmir. Temperatures were expected to plunge to between –2°C and –8°C.
Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors, avoid travel to higher elevations, and heed official advisories. While the current intense phase is easing, the IMD has forecast another active Western Disturbance affecting the region from January 26 to 28.
Independent weather observers, including ‘Kashmir Weather Forecast’, indicated that the tail end of the system could bring some rain and snow during the night of January 23, particularly in south Kashmir. However, a significant improvement in conditions is expected from Saturday (January 24) morning.
Despite the immediate hardship, the snowfall is seen as beneficial in the long term, replenishing water resources and supporting agriculture. For now, the focus remains on restoring essential services and ensuring public safety as the Valley slowly digs out from under the snow.
Meanwhile, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir issued a high-danger avalanche warning on Friday for six districts of the Union Territory following fresh snowfall, officials said. Avalanches with a high-danger level are likely to occur above 2,300 metres in Ganderbal district, in Central Kashmir, over the next 24 hours, the officials stated.
They also warned that an avalanche with a high-danger level is likely to occur above 2,500 metres in districts including Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, and Ramban in the Jammu region, and Kupwara in North Kashmir. The officials urged residents to remain cautious and avoid venturing into avalanche-prone areas.