Heavy snowfall paralyses life in south Kashmir

Anantnag, Dec 28 Heavy snowfall has disrupted normal life across South Kashmir on Saturday leaving many areas cut off from district headquarters and critical services severely affected.

Kulgam
The Kulgam district experienced significant snowfall, with upper areas like Aharbal, DK-Marg, DH Pora and Kund receiving up to 24 inches so far while low-lying areas have reported around 15 inches.

“We have deployed snow-cutting machines and cleared main arterial roads, but continuous snowfall is hampering progress,” said an official.

Despite efforts, roads connecting villages to district headquarters remain blocked, causing hardships for patients needing hospital care. “Patients are suffering as the roads have been blocked,” said Khurshid Ahmad of DH Pora. The power supply has been affected as the heavy snowfall has, damaged poles , transformers and cut supply lines.

Anantnag
Anantnag also has witnessed heavy snowfall, with areas like Kokernag, Daksum, Verinag, Kapran, Pahalgam, and Qazigund receiving up to 18 inches, and high-altitude regions like Sinthan Top and Margan Top accumulating over 2 feet of snow so far. Even Anantnag town recorded 12 inches of snowfall.

Efforts are underway to clear main roads, but many village connections remain severed. “We are forced to ferry patients on trolleys or even carry them on our backs to hospitals,” said Shakeel Ahmad from Sondbari village, Kokernag.

The electricity in the district has also been severely affected

Shopian and Pulwama
The twin districts of Shopian and Pulwama also reported heavy snowfall. Higher reaches in Shopian, such as Sedow ,Dobijan and Hirpora has recorded up to 2 feet of snow, while low-lying areas saw 15 inches. Similarly, upper areas of Pulwama like Sangawani and Achagoze received 18 inches of snow.

In Shopian, Peer Ki Gali along the Mughal Road accumulated over 2 feet of snow. Many villages, have plunged into darkness as power and water supplies were affected. “Our area has been without electricity since last evening said Sayyar Ahmad of Losedanow.

Officials in R&B Mechanical Division, said that snow-clearing machines have been pressed into service in all districts—to remove snow from inter-district and link roads. The residents were seen shoveling sidewalks and alleyways .