Heavy snowfall disturbed lives across the Valley on Saturday as many vehicles remained stuck on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway between the Pir Panjal tunnel and Srinagar city.
Defying the weather outlook light snowfall at remote places, heavy snowfall started on Friday afternoon and continued till Saturday morning. Due to highly slippery road conditions, hundreds of vehicles were stuck between the Pir Panjal tunnel and Srinagar city. Vehicles remained stranded inside the tunnel for many hours as heavy snowfall coupled with sub-zero temperature froze gathered snow on the highway.
Authorities were desperately trying to clear the traffic, but the fury of snow did not allow the vehicles to move even an inch. Many heavy and small vehicles swerved sideways as drivers failed to navigate their passage through accumulated snow on the highway.
Civil and Police officials moved out with snow clearance machines in Kulgam and Anantnag districts to clear the traffic on the national highway.
Until Saturday morning, traffic movement on the National Highway could not be completely restored. Authorities have set up helplines in every district of the Valley so that people facing issues due to the unexpected heavy snowfall can seek assistance.
All roads in Srinagar city and other districts including Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian were blocked due to heavy snowfall as snow clearance machines moved out in the morning to restore these for traffic.
Electric power supply, except in some parts of Srinagar city, was completely disturbed. Electric poles were detached , transmission lines were fractured and power supply grids were disrupted by the heavy snowfall. The weather office has forecast more rain and snow during the next 24 hours.
