Srinagar, Jan. 24 -- Ending a prolonged and worrying dry spell, Kashmir received its first major snowfall of the season on Friday, bringing cheer to tourists but causing widespread disruption to essential services. While the upper reaches, including the ski resort of Gulmarg, recorded over two feet of snow, the heavy accumulation led to the suspension of air traffic, closure of key highways, and significant power outages across the Valley. Air travel at the Srinagar international airport came to a standstill on Friday morning and later all flights werecancelled. The airport authorities cautioned on social networking site X that normalisation may take longer than expected, advising passengers to coordinate with airlines. Surface transport was equally hit; the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) was shut due to heavy snow near the Navyug Tunnel, while the Mughal Road, SSG Road, and Sinthan Road were also closed. The J&K Traffic Police has urged the public to avoid travel until the routes are declared safe and to verify road status via official helplines (TCU Srinagar: 0194-2450022; TCU Jammu: 0191-2459048). Even by evening traffic wasn't restored as the officials said condition of road was not feasible for smooth movement of traffic. High velocity winds damaged dozens of buildings and plunged nearly half of the Valley into darkness since Thursday evening. Electricity restoration is currently underway, though many areas remain without power.By evening 60 to 70% of power was restored, however the places which received heavy snowfall still witnessed power disruption. Additionally, railway services between Baramulla and Banihal remain suspended even as dozens of snow-clearing machines work to restore connectivity. This snowfall is a critical relief for the region, which has faced an 85% precipitation deficit throughout November, December, and January. While Srinagar city saw only a few inches of accumulation mixed with rain, the higher reaches of south, central, and north Kashmir reported over two feet of snow, even the upper reaches of Gulmarg recorded more than three feet of snow. Independent forecaster Faizan Arif said that a strong western disturbance at 95% intensity drove this intense window of precipitation and warned while the system will weaken within 24 hours, it is likely to usher in a period of prolonged cold across the Union territory. MeT office said that gusty winds were recorded in Srinagar had speed of 155 kilometres in Shopian, 80 in Poonch , Reasi (76), Jammu (63) and Srinagar (84). There was a significant snowfall depth (cm): Gulmarg 45, Shopian 55, Sonamarg 15, Pahlgam 17, Kupwara 20, Banihal 16 and Kulgam 15 cms. MeT has predicted light rain/snow at isolated places for next two days. Around twelve people, stranded in heavy snowstorm, were rescued in Udhampur district, said officials. The people, including women and children were stranded in Chochru Galla in the Basantgarh area, said a police officer. Vaishno Devi Yatra was also suspended on Friday. "The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been suspended as a precautionary measure. The pilgrims have been asked to stay in Katra till weather improved," said an official. Met department has issued a warning for avalanches in Ganderbal district, in central Kashmir, over the next 24 hours. They also warned that an avalanche with high danger level is likely to occur above 2,500 metres over districts, including Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban in Jammu region, and Kupwara in North Kashmir....