Intense Snowfall Causes Disruptions in Valley, Hundreds Stranded on Jammu-Srinagar Highway

Srinagar, Dec 28 (NationPress) Intense snowfall caused significant disruptions throughout the Valley on Saturday, as hundreds of vehicles became stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, specifically between the Pir Panjal tunnel and the city of Srinagar.

Contrary to the forecast predicting only light snowfall in isolated areas, heavy snowfall commenced on Friday afternoon and persisted into Saturday morning.

Due to extremely slippery road conditions, numerous vehicles were immobilized between the Pir Panjal tunnel and Srinagar.

Some vehicles remained stuck within the tunnel for several hours, as heavy snowfall combined with sub-zero temperatures caused the accumulated snow on the highway to freeze.

Authorities were making concerted efforts to clear the stranded vehicles, but the relentless snowfall made even the slightest movement nearly impossible.

Many heavy and small vehicles skidded off as drivers struggled to navigate through the snow accumulation on the highway.

High-ranking civil and police officials were dispatched with snow-clearing equipment to Kulgam and Anantnag districts to assist in removing the stranded vehicles from the national highway.

As of Saturday morning, full traffic restoration on the National Highway had not yet been achieved.

To assist individuals facing difficulties due to the unexpected heavy snowfall, authorities established helplines in every district of the Valley.

Moreover, all roads in Srinagar city and surrounding districts, including Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian, were blocked due to the heavy snowfall, prompting the deployment of snow-clearing machines to restore these for traffic.

Power supply was largely disrupted, except in certain areas of Srinagar city.

Electric poles were uprooted, transmission lines were severed, and power supply grids were compromised due to the heavy snowfall.

Despite the challenges posed by the weather, the snowfall has brought joy to locals, as it ended a prolonged dry spell and raised hopes for a prosperous Babi crop.

Many perennial springs and wells in the Valley had been experiencing low water levels due to insufficient precipitation over the last four months.

This season's first snowfall occurred in Srinagar city and various adjacent regions, including the plains of other districts.

The snowfall has also delighted numerous tourists currently enjoying their holidays in the Valley, with approximately 10 inches of fresh snow recorded in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and other tourist hotspots.

The weather office has predicted further rain and snow within the next 24 hours.