Srinagar, Dec 20, KNT: A dense layer of fog settled over the Kashmir Valley on Saturday morning, significantly reducing visibility and affecting both road and air travel as temperatures remained below freezing in several areas. The conditions added to the prevailing winter hardship, slowing daily routines across urban and rural belts.
In Srinagar, morning visibility dropped to just a few metres, prompting traffic authorities to issue advisories for cautious driving on key corridors including the Bypass, Airport Road and central city stretches. Commuters reported unusually slow movement, particularly during office hours when fog remained thick.
Join our WhatsApp Group
The fog also impacted operations at Srinagar International Airport, where multiple flights were delayed or rescheduled. Passengers said the waiting time inside terminals increased as authorities adjusted operations to meet mandatory visibility requirements. Officials said that such disruptions are common during prolonged cold spells marked by temperature inversion.
📢 8,000+ readers already joined for instant Kashmir News Trust updates
Join our Telegram Channel
Inter-district travel was similarly hit. Portions of the Srinagar-Jammu Highway witnessed sluggish traffic flow, while rural areas of Budgam, Pulwama, Anantnag and Ganderbal experienced sharp overnight drops in temperature that intensified fog formation.
Locals said the limited visibility forced them to delay morning activities, from farm routines to market openings. Shopkeepers in various towns opened later than usual due to the combined effect of fog and severe cold.
According to meteorological officials, the fog is expected to end as snowfall has been forecast in the coming days. They said approaching western disturbances could bring light to moderate snowfall in higher reaches and light snowfall in some plains, which is likely to clear the prevailing fog conditions.[KNT]
