Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Jan 23 : The normal life remianed paralysed due to heavy snowfall in Kashmir valley on Saturday, as air traffic to and fro at Srinagar airport remained suspended while the Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed due to heavy snowfall even as the weatherman predicted respite from Sunday afternoon.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that scores of villages across the valley have been cut off after the link roads got blocked by the snow, while many border areas like have been disconnected due to heavy snowfall.
He said commuters found difficulties in travelling due to snow accumulation on the roads.
The snow has also disrupted power supply at many places in the Kashmir Valley.
Reports said that the life remained affected in most parts of the valley as the snowfall snapped electricity supply lines. The residents in most parts of the valley are without electricity, since Saturday morning. However, most of the major roads in the city and elsewhere in the valley have been cleared and clearance operations were on.
The snowfall as predicted by local weather department began early in the morning and was continuing when the last reports came in.
An airport official told Kashmir Despatch that all the flights to and fro Srinagar were cancelled. He said the runway at the airport was not available for flight operations due to the accumulation of snow.
“It snowed whole day and hence, it was difficult to clear the runway for flight operations,” the official said.
Meanwhile Srinagar district administration in a tweet said, “Snowfall: We would like to request our residents and those working here to keep in mind that movement of traffic might remain disrupted while it continues to snow in Srinagar. Commuting plans might need alterations or adjustments and quite a bit of patience.”
The metrological department said, “As predicted earlier widespread light to moderate snow observed over most parts of Kashmir Valley with isolated heavy snow over Sadhna top (36 inches), Z-Gali (12 inches), Plains of Kupwara and Baramula ( 6-8 inches), Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal (4-8 inches), Ahrabal (Kulgam12 inches), Plains of South Kashmir (3-6 inches), Plains of Jammu, Ramban and other dists (moderate rain).
“Current System likely to persist during next 8-10 hours and gradual improvement thereafter. Significant improvement from 24th january forenoon/afternoon and dry weather is expected till 31st January,” they said.
Meanwhile, traffic officials told Kashmir Despatch that “On January 24 Sunday, no vehicular movement shall be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar highway from either side in view of the shooting stones and mudslides at several places on the thoroughfare and snow accumulation around the Jawahar Tunnel and inclement weather prediction issued by MeT department,”
The strategic thoroughfare was closed for traffic earlier on Saturday following fresh snowfall on either side of the 2.5 kilometer Jawahar Tunnel.
Traffic authorities were heard making announcement, requesting the drivers to return back and “not led people astray.”
“It is my humble request to please return as there are no chances of traffic resuming today.The vehicles which have passed Nagrota are stranded in Chinani, Ramban, Batote and Nasri,” DTI Nagrota, Inspector Rakesh Kumar, was heard making announcement through public address system fitted in the traffic department vehicle. “Please don’t take any risk.
There are chances of (land and snow) slides and as such return home. Whenever highway reopens, there would be traffic from Srinagar to Jammu.” the officials added.
Picture Credit ; Junaid Bhat
