The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been reeling under the impact of heavy snowfall for the past 24 hours, leaving life in disarray. The severe weather caused power outages, disrupted air and surface traffic, and left tourists stranded. Tragically, a female tourist lost her life when a boulder struck a vehicle on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in the Ramban district.
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Fatal Accident on Srinagar-Jammu Highway
The tourist, traveling in a mini-bus at Mehar in Ramban, succumbed to severe head injuries after being hit by a rolling boulder. The highway, a critical lifeline for the region, has been blocked since Friday afternoon, leaving approximately 500 vehicles stranded, including 350 heavy and 150 light motor vehicles. Efforts to clear the snow are underway on a war footing, according to SSP Traffic (Rural) Ravinder Pal Singh.
Travel Chaos
- Roadways: Major highways, including Srinagar-Poonch, Srinagar-Gurez, Srinagar-Kishtwar, and Srinagar-Tangdhar, remain closed due to slippery conditions and heavy snow accumulation.
- Air Traffic: All flights at the Srinagar Airport were canceled, leaving passengers stranded and uncertain about rescheduling.
- Railways: Train services, suspended in the morning, resumed by afternoon on Saturday.
Stranded Tourists Find Shelter in Local Homes
Locals in Ganderbal and Budgam districts opened their homes and mosques to accommodate stranded tourists, many of whom included children from Punjab and Hyderabad. Police successfully rescued 16 passengers stranded in different parts of south and north Kashmir.
Power and Water Supply Affected
The snowfall caused significant damage to power infrastructure, leaving several villages in Kulgam, Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Pulwama districts without electricity and water. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reported that 41 feeders of 33 KV and 739 feeders of 11 KV were down in the Kashmir division. However, he assured that over 90% of the feeders would be restored by evening.
Government Response
Chief Minister Abdullah visited Ganderbal and chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar to address the situation. He directed all Deputy Commissioners to expedite snow clearance and ensure the restoration of essential services, including power and water supply.
Postponement of Exams
The University of Kashmir postponed all examinations scheduled for Saturday due to the disruptions caused by the snowfall.
Current Situation
While snow clearance operations continue, challenges persist in ensuring safe passage for travelers and restoring normalcy. Authorities are urging residents and visitors to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel.
This unprecedented snowfall has once again highlighted the vulnerability of the region’s infrastructure to extreme weather events, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of such disruptions in the future.