The unlikeliest of weathermen followed by more than a million on Facebook – The Independent

The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway is the lifeline of the Kashmir Valley. It’s the only all-weather link connecting the region to the rest of India and has carried the economic and social pulse of the Valley for decades. While two alternative routes, the Sinthan Road and the Mughal Road, exist, both remain closed during winter due to heavy snowfall, making the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway the sole supply corridor through which essential commodities reach Kashmir. Last August, severe flash floods forced the highway to remain closed for 15 days. This caused a near standstill in life and trade. The closure resulted in significant economic losses, particularly for the horticulture sector, which relies heavily on timely transportation. Trucks brimming with apples, pears and other fruits were stranded for days, resulting in significant financial losses for growers and traders. In this challenging terrain, a local figure has become an invaluable source of information and reassurance for travellers: Tahir Ahmad Giri, better known as Tahir Banihali. Tahir has become a trusted voice for thousands who travel this route daily (Mir Musavir Shabir/ Zafar Dar) Tahir, a resident of Banihal, a town on the highway about 94 kilometres from Srinagar, has become a trusted voice for
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