The J&K administration on Tuesday grappled with the aftermath of a heavy spell of snowfall, with road connectivity and electricity supply badly affected. Three days of closure of air and surface traffic also forced the authorities to put a limit on fuel sale to consumers.
A police spokesman said 22 gujjar and bakerwal communities, stranded in higher reaches of Qasba and Devsar areas of Kulgam, were rescued and shifted to safe locations.
The snowfall, continuing for the past three days, wreaked havoc on the road and electricity infrastructure in the Valley. All airways and highways connecting the Kashmir valley with the country remained closed for the third straight day.
“The ‘Priority -1’ road connectivity in all 10 districts has been cleared. The status of ‘Priority - 2’ road connectivity range between 50 to 70% so far,” an official spokesman said.
The electricity remains snapped in many parts of the Valley. However, officials said most of the damaged 33KV lines and 11KV lines were restored. “We are ensuring that 100% power supply is restored and roads are cleared of snow across the Union Territory,” Baseer Ahmad Khan, advisor to Lieutenant Governor, said.
The snow has brought life to a standstill, throwing a major challenge to the administration to restore normality.
As a precautionary and preventive measure, petrol and diesel to two-wheeler has been limited to three litres; three-wheeler to five litres; four-wheeler to 10 litres; and commercial and heavy vehicles to 20 litres, a government order said.
“There is no need to panic. We are not low on stocks. I also appeal people to park vehicles inside their premises. People should stay inside and venture outside only in case of any exigency,” Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandorang K. Pole said.
Meanwhile, intermittent snowfall continued in Kashmir on Tuesday. The meteorological department has predicted a wet weather for the next 24 hours.
Avalanche warnings
The J&K Disaster Management Authority has issued medium to low level avalanche warnings for higher reaches.
It issued a medium-level avalanche warning for the higher reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Bandipora districts besides Waltengu Nad, south and north portals of Jawahar Tunnel, Verinag, Kapran, Chowkibal-NC Pass, Gurez, Dawar and Neeru areas.
A low-level avalanche warning was issued for upper reaches of Udhampur, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Sonamarg - Zojila, Z-Gali- Kalaroose, Kanzalwan, Tangmarg and Gulmarg.
“People living in these avalanche prone areas are advised not to venture out to avoid loss of lives,” it said.
.jpg?w=600)
