Srinagar: Widespread snowfall continued for third consecutive day on Tuesday, bringing normal life to a standstill in Kashmir Valley and leaving authorities struggling to deal with the emerging situation.
The first casualty was a sudden but not unexpected shutdown of power in most parts in north Kashmir. Curtain Raiser receive dozens of calls from many areas of Kupwara and Baramulla districts with people complaining about the power shutdown for hours.
Although most parts of Kupwara district received less than a feet snow on the ground but it caused so to say a widespread shutdown not only in unmetered areas but also in major towns as well.
South Kashmir districts received over and around two feet snow but reports said that power most of the areas received the power supply as per schedule.
The snowfall caused damage to a few structures and led to almost impassable driving conditions across the Valley, forcing people to stay indoors.
Most lanes remained clogged with snow as authorities struggled to clear the snow from roads and restore electricity in many north Kashmir areas.
Snow clearance machines were pressed into service to clear main roads but snow continued to accumulate on road, making driving difficult.
A MeT official said that Srinagar received 28cms of snowfall in the last 36 hours till 1730 hours while Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded the highest depth in the plains across Valley—48.3cms—during the time and 98.5cms (39.4inches) in the last 60hours.
Pahalgam, the famous tourist destination, and Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded 25cms and 38cms of fresh snowfall during the 36 hours respectively, the MeT official said.
Gulmarg, the official said that the world famous skiing resort received around two feet snow during past 36 hours. Only 3cms of snow was recorded in Gulmarg from 0830 to 1730 hours today, the official said.
Kupwara recorded 11cms of snowfall during the 36 hours till 1730 hours. Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and Budgam districts received almost the same snow depth as Srinagar even as higher reaches accumulated more snow.
A walnut tree fell on a residential house of Abul Hameed Dar at Sagam Kokernag and damaged the roof. Also Middle School Kanderpora Guree in Bijbehara Annatnag suffered damaged along with roof of two residential houses at Manigam Kulgam.
A residential House was damaged in Zoonimar area of Srinagar at Noor Nagar even as there was no loss of life or injury reported.
The heavy snowfall also caused power disruptions and as per official figures revealed during a meeting chaired by advisor to LG Baseer Ahmad Khan through video conference, at least 223 feeders are still to be restored apart from several 33KV and 11KV lines.
The snowfall has also led to severe disruptions in milk and vegetable supplies in parts of Srinagar and elsewhere.
A per an official communiqué, ‘Priority -1’ road connectivity in all the districts has been cleared while ‘Priority – 2’ road connectivity in all the districts range between 50 to 70% and clearance of inner link roads “is in progress.”
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.8 °C while mercury settled at minus 1.1°C in Pahalgam, minus 4.0°C in Gulmarg, Qazigund minus 0.2°C, Kupwara minus 0.7°C while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.7°C, the official said.
Kashmir is in the middle Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day harshest winter period, which commenced on December 21 and ends on January 31. The period is considered the harshest of the winter when the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum.
The cold wave, however, continues even after that in Kashmir with a 20-day-long ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and a 10-day-long ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold). The weatherman has forecast more snowfall in the next 24 hours and a “significant” improvement in from January 6.
Weatherman said widespread heavy to very heavy snow/rain will continue till forenoon of January 6, especially in South Kashmir, Poonch, Rajouri, Chenab Valley, Pirpanjal etc.
“We expect significant Improvement in weather from afternoon of January 6 with decreased snowfall, better visibility,” said Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological department. From January 7 onward, he said cold wave will return. “Expect warmer days and colder nights for next one week from January 7 onwards”.
Lotus also urged people in snowbound hilly areas to avoid venturing out as there are chances of avalanche due to very heavy snow.
“Clear snow on your roofs frequently (especially Kaccha homes),” he said, adding, “Open doors and windows frequently to ensure enough supply of oxygen in your homes as otherwise death may be caused due to asphyxiation due to poisonous gas carbon monoxide from bukharis and heater etc.” he added.
