Srinagar: Snowfall in the Kashmir valley on Friday isolated it from the outside world as it grounded air traffic and blocked roads, including the highways, that connect it with the rest of the country.The Kashmir valley, including Srinagar city, received heavy snowfall, pausing life in the region and causing widespread power outages.This is the heaviest snowfall experienced in the summer capital this season.
Sonam Lotus, director of the Srinagar Meteorological Centre, said snowfall was likely to continue over the next 24 hours and was expected to slow down or stop from tomorrow afternoon.Lotus said snow fell across the Kashmir valley and had been heavy at several places such as Srinagar and Gulmarg. It was the first widespread snowfall of the season.An official at the traffic control department said all roads entering and exiting the Kashmir valley were closed due to the snowfall.The Jammu-Srinagar highway, Srinagar-Leh highway, Mughal Road and the roads to remote parts of north Kashmir were closed.Nine inches of snow had accumulated near the Jawahar tunnel, gateway to the Valley, the official said, adding that air traffic in the region had been suspended due to the weather conditions.Sharad Kumar, director of Srinagar International Airport, said 40 incoming and outgoing flights scheduled for today were cancelled. “All flights were cancelled due to the snowfall,” Kumar said.Srinagar, incidentally, did not receive snow last year. This time, it is covered in six inches of snow, bringing routine life in the region to a pause.The traffic and pedestrian movement on the city roads and in other districts has thinned out.The snowfall also caused widespread power outages in the region. Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar Farooq Lone said only 50 per cent of the areas were receiving power supply.
Remain alert, assist people: IGP to cops
Srinagar: Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, SJM Gillani, on Friday directed all policemen and officers to remain alert and provide assistance to people in the wake of heavy snowfall in the region. A police spokesman in a statement said the IGP had directed all police officers of the Kashmir valley to “gear up men and machinery under their command and control” to meet any possible challenge and eventuality.The IGP has also ordered that all subordinate formations should remain available and coordinate with other government departments to tackle and manage all civil issues arising out of the inclement weather.“The IGP has ordered for the establishment of emergency control rooms in all districts of the Valley to provide necessary help to the people in need,” the spokesman said. The spokesman said all district heads had put their men on high alert to meet any eventuality in their districts. TNS