As Kashmir witnesses fresh snowfall, MET declares 'red alert'
A view of snowfall in southern Kashmir's Pulwama town

SRINAGAR — As many as eight flights were cancelled for the second straight day on Thursday while the Srinagar-Jammu highway was opened for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs). However, the Meteorological department here has predicted light to moderate rain and snowfall at scattered places across Kashmir tomorrow.

The highway was closed yesterday as a precautionary measure after the fresh snowfall triggered shooting stones and landslides at several places.

Talking to news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Traffic, Shabir Ahmad Malik said that the men and machinery were pressed into the services soon after the weather started improving.

He said that as soon as the road clearance was completed, the Light Motor Vehicles were allowed to ply.

The official communique issued by the department said that subject to the fair weather and better road conditions, the LMVs (Passenger)/private cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar highway tomorrow.

“TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic. LMVs/private cars from Nagrota (Jammu) at 0600 hrs to 1200 hrs, from Jakheni (Udhampur) at 0700 hrs to 1300 hrs & from Navyug Tunnel (Qazigund side) at 0600 hrs to 1200 hrs (subject to change depending on the road position then). No vehicle shall be allowed before and after cut off timings,” the statement said.

It said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions, HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the traffic situation on NHW.

TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the HMVs, the statement said, adding that Mughal Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road and Kishtwar-Sinthan Road shall remain closed for vehicular movement in view of snow.

Meanwhile, although the flight operations resumed at Srinagar international airport, eight flights were cancelled due to poor visibility.

Director Srinagar International Airport, Kuldeep Singh told KNO that eight flights were cancelled today. He said that 38 flights operated today while eight were cancelled, adding that the passengers of the cancelled flights will be accommodated in the next available flight of the concerned airline.

He said that there will be no charges for rescheduling and the passenger can also exercise the option of a full refund.

Meanwhile, the weatherman here has predicted moderate rain and snowfall in Kashmir tomorrow, saying that there is the possibility of light to moderate rain/snow at scattered places of J&K tomorrow.

The MeT officials said that the weather would remain mainly dry from tomorrow evening till the end of February.

Snowfall: 90 per cent electricity restored, says MD KPDCL

A day after heavy snowfall wreaked havoc in Kashmir, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Thursday claimed to have restored nearly 90 per cent of electricity across the Valley till this evening.

Managing Director, KPDCL, Dr Basharat Qayoom told news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that almost 98 per cent of the electricity has been restored in Srinagar district while some local outages are there within the district, which will be restored shortly. “More than 950 11kv feeders stand restored, restoration work on in remaining.”

Dr Basharat Qayoom further stated that almost 85-90 per cent of electricity has been restored, adding that the major damage has occurred in Kulgam where it would take some more time to complete the restoration process.

He further stated that 19 feeders of Kulgam have also been charged for an emergency, adding that they are hopeful that all the restoration processes would be completed by tomorrow.

About Balhama receiving station, he said that the work was halted in the beginning due to ROW issues and now the work has been started and is going on at present.

MD further stated that KPDCL has been supplying 200MW additional supply this winter and an increase of over 15% energy.

He further stated that the corporation has sufficient quantities of buffer stock to meet such eventualities; all workshops are functional in multiple shifts to address DT outages.

Pertinently, Kashmir received heavy snowfall on Wednesday, affecting normal life and also causing extensive damage to the power infrastructure.

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