Flight Cancellations Strand Hundreds of NEET SS Aspirants and Tourists at Srinagar Airport
Strong Winds Disrupt Srinagar Airport Operations, Flights Cancelled, NEET SS Aspirants Stranded
Severe gusty winds in Kashmir on Friday led to the cancellation of 19 flights at Srinagar International Airport, while two others were diverted, officials confirmed.
Flight Disruptions & Ongoing Operations
Javed Anjum, Director of Srinagar International Airport, stated that the flight cancellations were caused by adverse weather conditions. However, as winds subsided, 15 arrivals and 14 departures were successfully completed out of 38 scheduled flights.
NEET SS Aspirants Stranded, Demand Exam Center in Srinagar
The sudden cancellations left hundreds of NEET SS aspirants stranded at Srinagar Airport. Many were scheduled to appear for their medical entrance exams in Jammu and Delhi on Saturday morning.
Frustrated students and stakeholders renewed their appeal to the National Board of Examinations (NBE) and the J&K administration to establish an examination center in Srinagar, citing the majority of candidates belong to the Kashmir division.
Local resident Aatif Sanaie highlighted the students’ concerns:
“We have long requested authorities to set up an exam center in Srinagar. The current exams coincide with Lailat-ul-Qadr, Jummat-ul-Vida, and Eid, making travel more challenging.”
Tourists Also Affected by Flight Cancellations
Several tourists, including those who visited the famous Tulip Garden on March 26, were also impacted.
Priya Sharma, a tourist from Delhi, shared her frustration:
“We had a great time at the Tulip Garden, but our flight cancellation has left us stranded. We’ll now stay in Srinagar until Sunday.”
Damage Across Kashmir Amid Strong Winds
On Friday night, heavy winds battered the Kashmir Valley, causing widespread damage to vehicles, rooftops, and power infrastructure. Authorities are assessing losses and have begun restoration efforts in affected areas.
