Gusty winds disrupt life in Kashmir, snowfall forces closure of highways in J&K

Srinagar, Jan 23 (IANS) Due to gusty winds and snowfall mostly in the southern districts of Kashmir, both air and surface transport were adversely affected on Friday.

Reports from Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian districts said snowfall occurred overnight in these districts and was continuing.

Srinagar, Ganderbal and other parts in central and northern districts were mostly lashed with rainfall overnight, and snowfall started in Srinagar city in the morning.

Snow accumulation on Srinagar international airport disrupted air traffic to and from the Valley as snow clearance machines were deployed to clear the runway at the airport.

Heavy snowfall occurred on both sides of the Navyug tunnel, forcing authorities to suspend traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway.

Traffic has also been suspended on the Mughal Road, Srinagar-Leh highway, across the Sinthan and Razdan Passes and other higher reaches of the Valley.

Travellers have been cautioned to postpone their travel plans for the day and undertake the journey only after hearing from the authorities.

Gusty winds disrupted life in the Valley as rooftops at many places were swept away.

Massive damage has been caused to the transmission lines of the electricity department. The electricity supply in many parts of Srinagar city and most parts in the rural areas remained off while engineers of the corporation said its field staff was working continuously to restore the main 33 KV transmission line that brings in electricity from outside to the Valley.

People have been advised to stay away from uprooted electric poles, hanging electric supply lines and other vulnerable places.

Despite the temporary hardships being faced by the people, Friday’s snowfall has been widely welcomed in the Valley as it is believed that heavy snowfall in the higher reaches would suffice to sustain various water bodies of J&K during the hot summer months. As is commonly said, winter without snow is summer without the rose, and nobody understands it better than those living in the Kashmir Valley.

–IANS

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