Kashmir remains cut off for third day
SNOW STRUCK Flights cancelled; 3,000 vehicles stuck on Jammu-srinagar NH; Pahalgam shivers at -9.5°C
SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Normal life was thrown out of gear in Kashmir on Tuesday as overnight sub-zero temperatures led to the formation of a thick layer of ice on roads and resulting in cancellation of several flights to Srinagar.
The minimum temperature in Srinagar settled at minus 2.7°C. The Valley has witnessed heavy snowfall and sleet over the past two days. The knee-deep snow on roads has created problems for commuters and also created conditions that can result in accidents.to prevent such accidents, the Srinagar municipal corporation has deployed scores of workers to carry out snow clearance operations on frozen roads and footpaths.
An official of the Airports Authority of India said early morning flights had to be cancelled due to slippery conditions on the runway. “Flight operations resumed in the afternoon,” he said.
The official said a Srinagar bound flight was cancelled, while two other flights scheduled from Delhi to Jammu and vice versa could not fly due to “poor visibility”.
Pahalgam was the coldest recorded place in the Valley at minus 9.5°C, followed by Gulmarg at minus 7.6°C. Bhaderwah in Doda district recorded minus 0.5°C, followed by Batote in Ramban district at minus 0.2°C.
JAMMU SRINAGAR NH REMAINS SHUT
The Jammu-srinagar national highway remained shut for the third consecutive day on Tuesday, officials said. The closure of the highway has left over 3,000 vehicles stranded.
The highway was closed on Sunday after it was blocked due to snowfall at Nowgam-jawahar Tunnel-qazigund sector and landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban district.
While one feet of snow was recorded in Banihal, the accumulation in Jawahar Tunnel area was over two feet. Landslides and shooting stones triggered by heavy downpour have also blocked the highway at Digdole, Panthyal and Mompassi near Ramban.
“No vehicular movement was possible on the highway on Tuesday. We are monitoring the situation and the restoration work can only commence after improvement in the weather. As and when the highway reopens, our priority will be to allow stranded vehicles,” said Ajay Anand, deputy superintendent of police (traffic), Ramban.