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| Weather fury in Kashmir, 6 feared dead in Machhil | | |
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, FEB 6: At least six persons have been feared dead as heavy snowfall threw life out of gear in Kashmir Valley today, snapping power supply and bringing traffic on the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway to a standstill. The snowfall, which started yesterday across the valley and high altitude areas of Jammu division, plunged most areas of the state into darkness and forced authorities to close the traffic on the 300-km Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which was partially restored today.
Following the heavy snowfall late last evening in the Kashmir valley, the Divisional Administration here immediately swung into action and in the wee hours today started snow clearance from roads and restoration of essential services.
A spokesman of the divisional administration here said that by 2.30 P.M. today, 100 per cent roads in the priority 1, including roads leading to major district headquarters, hospitals, airport, power receiving stations and water treatment plants were cleared. In the priority 2 roads, including roads leading to all other district headquarters, 80 per cent were cleared by this time. In the priority 3 roads, comprising link roads across the valley, he said 40 per cent had been cleared by 2.30 P.M. He said that of the 700 MW load, 510 MW were restored by the same time while restoration of the remaining roads and power supply was going apace. The situation was to further improve by the evening, given the men and machines put on the job on emergency basis.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Masaud Samoon along with the IGP, Kashmir Dr. B. Srinivas and Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar personally monitored the snow-clearance work throughout the night which were carried out on war footing. All the DCs and SPs were directed to ensure timely-clearance and ensure that electricity and water supply do not get disrupted. They also inspected the PCR, Srinagar, Snow Control Room and Electric Control Room and gave instructions that all essential services should be restored on time.
Mr. Samoon said that after the weather warning of snow and heavy rains, all the Deputy Commissioners and Chief Engineers had been instructed in advance to gear up men and machinery to meet any exigency.
The Divisional Commissioner said that 4 persons were feared dead when they were caught in a snow avalanche at Z-Gali, near Machhil. Six persons were on their way to Kupwara on foot when they were trapped in an avalanche. Those feared dead are residents of Machhil and have been identified as Shah Ahmad Khan, S/o Sikander, Mohammad Shafi Tantray, S/o Nira Tantray, Nazir Ahmad Narray, S/o Ghulam Rasool and a police constable, Mohammad Majnoon, S/o Abdul Rehman. Two people managed to survive and reach Kupwara, Mr. Samoon said.
Giving details about steps being taken for restoration of essential services, Mr. Samoon said the DCs have operationalised their respective Snow Control Rooms after it started snowing yesterday evening. He said the snow clearance machines have cleared all major roads in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Budgam and Baramulla districts while as work on Bandipora-Sopore road, Khanabal-Pahalgam road, Nehama-Aharbal road, DH Pora-Chimmer road, Devsar-Kund and Achabal roads, Pulwama-Shopian road, Pulwama-Keller road, Sogam-Lolab road, Wilgam-Kralpora road, Tikkipora-Gundmacher road, Sogam-Candigam and Lalpora-Gunmacher road in Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Kupwara districts was under progress, said Mr. Samoon, who added that these roads will also be cleared for traffic soon. He said that four additional snow clearance machines have been deployed from Srinagar to Kupwara to meet the demand. Some trees, which had fallen due to snowfall, have also been removed from all inter-district roads, he added.
While the inter-district traffic was plying normally, the traffic on the National Highway had been cleared up to Banihal. However, the traffic was not allowed to ply due to shooting stones at Panthal.
The Airport Road, runway and tarmac was cleared by 9 A.M. and made operational for all flights, he informed.
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