SRINAGAR: The first major snowfall of the season crippled life in Kashmir Valley, disturbing surface transport, air traffic, as well as the power supply even as officials say weather will remain dry for next few days.
Authorities on Thursday shut the Srinagar-Jammu highway for vehicular traffic after heavy snowfall and landslides at different places on the arterial highway.
The power supply snapped on Thursday morning in the Valley remained suspended on Friday as well, with officials stating complaining of heavy damage to power supply lines.
Chief Engineer, Power Development Department, Qazi Hasmat said that fallen trees have caused heavy damage to infrastructure, snapping power lines at many places.
Qazi said that they have restored the supply lines upto receiving stations, but the forwarding HT and LT lines were yet to be cleared.
He said the department was working to restore the power supply at the earliest.
Met officials said the weather has begun to improve, as expected, from Friday, and will remain dry till November 13.
Director Met Centre Srinagar, Sonam Lotus said clear skies are expected in coming days.
SP Traffic Rural, Muzzafar Ahmad Shah said the Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed due to landslides at several places. He said man and machinery was on the job to clear the road for traffic.
Traffic official said the highway has also turned slippery due to snowfall at Banihal.
The official said that the traffic will be restored once the weather improves and the vehicles stranded or parked on the highway will be cleared on priority.
Hundreds of vehicles including heavy vehicles were still stranded on the highway.
Bad weather also forced the cancellation of several morning flights on Friday at Srinagar airport.
Director Airport, R K Bishwas told Kashmir Reader that till 4.30 all flights had been cancelled.
“We cannot say whether we will operate flights on Saturday or not. The decision will be taken on Saturday morning,” he said.
Meanwhile, the streets in Srinagar and other towns were water logged due to melting snow throwing life out of gear.
Commuters and residents complained of water-logging at Exhibition Crossing, Hari Singh High Street, Ram Bagh, Hyderpora, Padshahi Bagh, Kursoo Raj Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazaar, Iqbal colony Sonwari , Lasjan , Naveedabad Batamaloo Bypass, Baba Demb, Samandar Bagh, and Shaltang.
The residents of old city and other areas including Khanyar, Nawakadal, Aali Masjid, and Soura Safa Kadal, Nawa Kadal, Karan Nagar, Cement Kadal complained of waterlogged streets and questioned the claims of authorities and Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
Khursheed Ahmad Sanai, Commissioner, SMC told Kashmir Reader that due to shortage of manpower they were not able to clear the snow from all lanes and bylanes.
“We are not prepared for this snow still we are trying to clear all the roads, lanes and by lanes. In city there are 6000 lanes and we have only 2000 manpower,” he said.

NAZIMA SIDIQ