❄️ Winter Wrath Grips J&K: Snow Seals Highway, Avalanche Peril Looms, Deadly Crash Mourns 4 Souls
State Correspondents News Desk | January 30, 2026
🛑 NH-44 Blocked for Days | 8 Districts on High Alert | Udhampur Bus Plunge Kills 4
Jammu & Kashmir reels under relentless winter assault as fresh snowfalls since Jan 26 have paralyzed the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44), stranding hundreds and halting lifelines. Disaster Management Authorities issued “high danger” avalanche alerts for 8 districts amid ongoing clearance ops, while a tragic bus mishap near Udhampur claimed four lives, spotlighting snow-slicked perils.
⚠️ Avalanche Hotspots (8 Districts):
- ❄️ Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal
- ❄️ Anantnag, Kulgam, Poonch, Rajouri
Stay indoors, avoid slopes; helplines active 24/7.
🛣️ Highway Nightmare: NH-44 Shut Indefinitely
Triggered by a western disturbance, moderate-to-heavy snow blanketed plains like Srinagar and piled up on Qazigund-Banihal stretches, forcing multi-day closure. No vehicles permitted despite round-the-clock snow-clearing machines; Mughal Road & Srinagar-Leh also blocked. Flights grounded (50+ cancelled at Srinagar airport); rail hit with Banihal-Budgam cancellations.
Sonamarg avalanche swallowed resorts Tuesday night—no casualties, but visuals stun. Tourists trapped in Gulmarg, Pahalgam celebrate “white wonderlands” even as locals brace disruptions.
💥 Udhampur Horror: Bus Tumbles, 4 Dead
Near Jakhani-Chenani on NH-44 (~11 AM Jan 27), a bus smashed into a parked loader & bike amid slippery snow, plunging victims to doom. Deceased: Sanjeev Kumar (mechanic, Udhampur), Rayes Ahmad (Badgam), Mukesh Prajapati (CRPF jawan, MP), driver Mohinder Kumar (Kirmoo). Injured airlifted to GMC Jammu; ex-gratia announced: ₹1L/deceased kin, ₹25K critical, ₹10K minor.
DC Udhampur probes technical/human error on “good condition” road; MP Jitendra Singh pledges ₹6L relief.
📊 Snow Impact Tracker
| Element | Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| NH-44 (Srinagar-Jammu) | Closed (Jan 26+) | Hundreds stranded; clearance ongoing |
| Srinagar Airport | Ops Suspended | 50+ flights axed |
| Rail (Banihal-Budgam) | Partial Halt | Snow on tracks |
| Avalanches | High Alert (8 Districts) | Sonamarg hit, no deaths |
| Fatalities (Snow-Related) | 4 Confirmed | Udhampur bus crash |
“Snow beauty hides deadly risks—prioritize safety over scenic selfies.” – JKUTDMA Advisory
Authorities urge minimal movement; power outages, landslides loom. J&K gears for prolonged freeze as chill dips below freezing.
State Correspondents from the ground. Stay safe, J&K! #JKSnowChaos #AvalancheAlert #NH44Closed
