Fresh snowfall across the Kashmir Valley on Tuesday impacted normal life as power outages and road blockades became a norm as the administration took a back seat during incessant snowfall.
The snowfall led to reduction of temperatures while the vital Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for vehicular traffic for the second consecutive day. The Kashmir University closed winter classes and postponed examinations for next two days.
The snowfall began early on Tuesday morning and continued throughout the day. The meteorological department has predicted light to moderate snowfall across the valley for next 24 hours.
“The Srinagar-Jammu national highway is closed and no fresh traffic has been allowed on Tuesday,” an official of the traffic police said.
The night temperature settled at the minimum of minus 1.9 degrees Celsius compared to the previous night's minus 0.9 degree Celsius. The divisional administration has issued avalanche advisory for the residents in higher reaches. All the district headquarters have setup control rooms and asked people to seek help.
"On the basis of information from SASE, the authorities have issued avalanche warning for hilly areas of Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Tangmarg and Khilanmarg in Gulmarg sector and higher reaches and Kargil in frontier region of ladakh,” a government official said.
He said a medium danger warning has also been issued for higher reaches of Banihal, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region, Pulwama and Kulgam in south and Budgam and Ganderbal districts in central Kashmir. “People living in these snowbound areas have been requested to take precautions and not to venture on steep slopes. The warning is valid for the next 24 hours,” the official said.
The Kashmir University suspended till January 29. The examinations scheduled for January 18 and 19 have been postponed.
Following the fresh snowfall, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti reviewed the situation and directed authorities to gear up for public convenience, officials said. Chief Minister got appraisal from the concerned officers about the snow clearance from the city roads and other district headquarters.