Heavy Snowfall and Rain Bring Jammu & Kashmir to a Standstill, Disrupting Normal Life
Normal life across Jammu & Kashmir was severely disrupted on Friday as heavy rain, gusty winds, and snowfall swept through the Union Territory, leading to road blockages, power supply interruptions, and the closure of schools in various areas. The authorities took precautionary measures, including suspending the pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine to ensure public safety amid the adverse weather conditions.
Key Infrastructure and Transportation Hit Hard
The inclement weather forced the closure of critical road links, including those connecting the Valley from Jammu and Ladakh, as well as the Mughal Road and the Kokernag-Kishtwar road, halting all vehicular traffic. In a significant move, all flight operations were suspended at the Srinagar airport, stranding travelers and affecting air connectivity. High-speed winds exacerbated the situation by blowing away rooftops, uprooting trees, and snapping power lines, plunging parts of the Valley into darkness and disrupting essential services.
Rescue Operations and Snow Accumulation Details
Rescue efforts were swiftly undertaken by police and security forces to assist those stranded in the snow. In Udhampur district's Basantgarh area and Tota Gali in Poonch district, at least 120 people were rescued. By Friday noon, substantial snow accumulation was reported across the Valley, with Shopian recording around 2 feet of snow, and Pulwama and many parts of north Kashmir seeing approximately a foot. In the Jammu region, areas such as Batote, Patnitop, and Sansar along the national highway experienced 2-3 feet of snow, impacting power, water supply, and telecommunication services in high-altitude districts like Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and Poonch.
Further Disruptions and Official Responses
The Batote-Doda road was closed due to landslides and slippery conditions, adding to the transportation woes. Rashtriya Rifles troops rescued nearly 110 civilians from buses, trucks, and private vehicles at Tota Gali on NH-144A around 4 am, while police in Udhampur's Basantgarh area saved 12 individuals stuck in heavy snowfall. In response to the weather, local administrations ordered the closure of schools in hilly districts, including Kishtwar, Doda, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch.
Power Outages and Damage Assessment
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressed the situation on social media, highlighting the severe damage to power supply lines. He noted that the active power load in the Valley had dropped to less than 100 Megawatts (MW) from the usual 1700 MW, primarily due to outages affecting almost all 33KV feeders, including those for emergency services. Abdullah explained that repair teams were working to rectify the issues, but extensive tree falls on power lines and windy conditions posed significant challenges. Damage assessment is underway, though it may take time due to the prevailing weather conditions.
