Heavy snowfall on Friday disrupted normal life across Kashmir while Valley remains cut-off with the rest of world as Srinagar-Jammu Highway was closed today and all flights to and fro Srinagar were cancelled. The snowfall has badly affected electric supply in the region and the far-off areas are cut-off from the district headquarters.According to GNS correspondent, heavy snowfall started this morning across the Valley including in summer capital Srinagar and continued throughout the day. The snowfall resulted in disruption of electricity and traffic movement. All small and large roads in Srinagar were under snow and the snow-clearing machines were rarely seen to make roads clear for traffic.Due to heavy snowfall, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed by authorities this morning. Reports said nearly a feet snow had accumulated on either sides of Jawahar Tunnel and Banihal while shooting stones were also affecting vehicular movement. The Mughal Road and Srinagar-Muzzafarabad roads were also shut while all flights to and fro Srinagar airport were cancelled.Heavy snowfall in higher reaches of Kupwara has led to closure of Sadna Top, Z-Gali and Farkayan Top roads for all types of vehicles. According to the district administration, men and machinery has been pressed into service to clear snow from roads and to meet any eventuality. While as control rooms have been established at Kupwara, Handwara, Tanghdar and Sogam to monitor the measures taken by the district administration in collaboration with MED, R&B, MCK and BEACON authorities
Meanwhile, Divisional Administration Kashmir Friday issued weather advisory according to which higher reaches of the State are likely to receive heavy snowfall and rains during the next 24-hours. The weather warning says minimum temperatures in all areas of Kashmir Division will remain below the freezing point which may lead to slippery road conditions. “Western Disturbance over J&K is likely to affect the State on January 06-07. “There will be moderate to heavy rain and snow in J&K with decreasing rain/snow towards evening in Kashmir on January 06. While as there is forecast of light to moderate rain/snow at few places in the State tomorrow with overall improvement in the weather from Jan. 07 afternoon,” the communiqué from the administration said. The concerned Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division have been asked to take all the precautionary measures in their respective districts.In view of the inclement weather and prediction of heavy snowfall for next 24 hours in Valley, IGP SJM Gillani, Kashmir Zone has directed all the Policemen and officers to provide help and assistance to the people. In his directions, IGP has directed all the police heads of Kashmir valley to gear up men and machinery under their command and control to remain alert to meet any possible challenge and eventuality. He has also ordered that all the subordinated formations should remain available on ground and coordinate with other government departments to tackle and manage all civil issues arising out of inclement weather.
IGP has ordered for the establishment of emergency control rooms in all the districts of the valley to provide necessary help to the people in need. Following the instructions, all the district heads have put their men on high alert to meet any eventuality in their districts.“District SSPs have established emergency Police Control Rooms in respective Districts. These control Rooms will remain open 24x7. In case of any help or assistance needed, People are advised to call on 9596777669, 019322870, 9419051940 in Anantnag, 01951234343 in Baramulla, 01951255207 in Budgam, 0194-2416478, 9797189295 in Ganderbal, 01954-222312 in Sopore, 01955-262259 in Handwara, 01955-252451 in Kupwara 01957-225278 in Bandipora, 01931-260160 in Kulgam, 01933-261891 in Shopian, 9797220265, 01933-241986 Pulwama, 01933-247369 in Awantipora or Police Control Room Kashmir on 0194- 2506508 or dial 100,” said a police statement.Meanwhile, policemen were helping the people and their vehicles who were stuck due to snowfall at many places in Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama and many other places across the valley. Pulwama police has constituted road clearance teams to assist the civil administration in clearing the snow from the roads in the town.(GNS)