Kashmir Valley was cut-off from the outer world on Wednesday as the season’s second heavy snowfall blocked roads, snapped aerial traffic and draped the entire Valley in a thick white blanket. Power supply has been disrupted in most parts of the Valley and authorities faced difficulties in starting snow-clearance work due to uninterrupted snowfall since midnight.
The vital 300-kilometre Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed for fear of blizzards and avalanches over a vast stretch between Qazigund in Kashmir and Ramban in Jammu sector. The Kashmir University postponed all examinations and most newspapers decided against publishing their print editions as the distribution mechanism has come to a grinding halt.
Residents of the Valley woke up to heavy snowfall on Wednesday that had started past midnight after a light drizzle. “Around midnight, I was returning home. I had to put on windscreen wiper of my car in the mizzle that was soon replaced with snowflakes”, Bashir Ahmad, a newspaper editor said. More than half a foot of snow had accumulated in Srinagar as the residents woke up.
The Valley witnessed its first heavy snowfall on New Year’s eve and the latest snowfall added thickness to the previous layer. The 40-day spell of harsh winter, locally known as Chillai Kalan, would end on January 31. “This year Chillai Kalan has been brilliant. It really showed the true colours of winter”, Haris Majeed, a local trader said while personifying Chillai Kalan.
Chillai Kalan is followed by Chillai Khurd from February 1-20 and 8-day-long Chilla Bacha ending February 28. However, the residents were ready for the downpour as the Meteorological department had sounded alerts on the advancement of western disturbances towards Kashmir Valley. Inspector-General of Police (Traffic), Muneer Ahmed Khan said that Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed following the heavy snowfall in Pir Panchal Mountain region. The continuous snowfall hampered snow-clearance efforts.
Sources said that several roads connecting towns with district headquarters are blocked. Authorities suspended rail service between Banihal and Baramulla. The flights could not operate from International Airport at Srinagar. “Due to inclement weather, Kashmir University authorities postponed all examinations scheduled for January 22 and January 23”, Showkat Masoodi, spokesman of the university said.
Power supply in most parts of the Valley was affected. The Power Development Department officials said that electric poles and wires were damaged in many parts resulting into disruption in supplies.
“Most newspapers will not go for printing due to disruption in power supply and road blockades. The newspaper offices could not fetch staff and it won’t be possible to distribute newspapers on Thursday morning”, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, spokesman of Kashmir Newspaper Distributors Association said. Ironically, the hardships of winter are faced by the common people alone. While Ministers and top officials spend winter months in Jammu, the well-to-do class also prefers to move out of the Valley during this season.