Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said post-snowfall restoration work in the valley was underway in full swing and being closely monitored.
The Kashmir valley and some areas in the Jammu division recorded moderate to heavy snowfall on Sunday, leading to road closures and snapping of electricity supply in many areas.
“Following the snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday (Sunday), particularly in the valley, restoration work is in full swing and being closely monitored,” Abdullah said in a post on X.
“The current electricity load being drawn in the valley is 1,200 MW and this will rise as the day progresses. Snow clearance work is proceeding, with priority roads receiving immediate attention,” the chief minister said.
He added that ministers Sakina Itoo and Javaid Dar, and Nasir Aslam Wani — the advisor to the chief minister — would travel around the districts to review the situation on the ground.
The 40-day-long period of extreme winter cold started on December 21 and will end on January 30.
At present, all water bodies, including lakes, springs, ponds, streams and wells, are partially frozen.
Doctors have advised people to exercise caution and not to expose themselves to long periods of cold. People of high-risk age groups, including children and elderly people, have been, especially, advised to avoid long exposure to cold. Hypothermia combined with respiratory tract infection is the main cause of myocardial infarction leading to heart attack and heart failure globally.
Fresh snowfall has brought cheer to scores of tourists presently enjoying their holiday in Gulmarg and other hill stations. All hotels in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and most in Srinagar city are completely sold out these days.