Uri, Jan 31: Five villages located along the Line of Control in the Boniyar area have remained without electricity and road connectivity for the past nine days following heavy snowfall.
The affected villages include Chotali, Gigerhill, Jabdi, Samali, and Korali. Residents said electricity supply and road access were disrupted after the first major snowfall during the night of January 22 and 23 and have not been restored since.
Talking to GNS, locals said the prolonged power outage during extreme winter conditions has severely affected daily life. The absence of electricity has disrupted lighting, heating, and other basic necessities. They added that damaged poles and transmission lines have delayed restoration work.
Residents also said road blockages have cut off the villages from the tehsil headquarters, leaving a large population isolated. Patients and elderly residents are facing serious difficulties due to the lack of connectivity.
While snowfall and avalanches are common in the area, villagers said living without electricity and road access for such an extended period has added to their hardship. They stressed the need for better preparedness by the authorities to deal with recurring winter emergencies.
Meanwhile, officials said men and machinery have been deployed in the affected areas. They expressed hope that electricity supply and road connectivity would be restored soon, subject to weather conditions. (GNS)