Doda (Jammu and Kashmir): Heavy snowfall continued for the second consecutive day in the last 24 hours in Bhalesa area of Doda district in Jammu division. Roads and services have been halted due to snowfall, hence SDM Gandoh, Bhalesa on behalf of Doda district administration has advised people to stay indoors for safety. The temperature has gone below zero.
There has been about one foot of snowfall in the plains, while about two to three feet of snowfall has occurred in the upper hilly areas. All essential services including electricity and water supply have stopped. Many roads including highways and link roads are closed due to landslides, falling trees and heavy snow accumulation.
Only emergency services are being allowed to operate until the situation in the area improves. After a long drought of almost three months, snowfall started in Bhalesa and its surrounding plains and upper areas from Friday midnight. When the entire area was covered with snow, people expressed great relief and happiness over this long-awaited snowfall.
Banihal town in Ramban district also received the first heavy snowfall of the season on Friday as the entire area received fresh snowfall, bringing winter in full force. The snowfall started late at night and continued for several hours, causing a sharp drop in temperature and reduced visibility.
Meanwhile, Baramulla, Budgam and Ramban’s hill resort town Batote also received heavy snowfall, due to which the entire area was covered with white sheets. Due to heavy rain and snowfall, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed on Friday, and traffic was also stopped at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur.
Air travel was also disrupted due to snowfall. Srinagar Airport and Indigo Airlines announced temporary stoppage and cancellation of many flights. Officials said that in view of incessant rains and accumulation of snow up to Ramsu, all traffic on National Highway-44 was stopped at safe places as a precautionary measure due to slippery road conditions.
Earlier, MLA Dalip Singh Parihar said on Sunday that the ongoing Bhaderwah Winter Carnival is helping the economy of Jammu and Kashmir by attracting tourists from across the country. He thanked the visitors who came from far and wide to attend the festival.
