KL Report
SRINAGAR
The hilly areas of Jammu region also received seasons’ first major snowfall resulting in the disruption of daily life, reports said Wednesday.
They added that snowstorm has hit many areas in Chenab Valley and Pirpanchal range, causing disruption of traffic and power supply.
Reports said moderate to heavy snowfall has been recorded in Chenab Valley with Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar receiving about 6 inch to two feet snow.
The snowfall was reported at Patnitop in Udhampur district, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Banihal, Batote and other hilly areas of the region.
Sources said the snowstorm uprooted trees and affected power supply in entire Chenab Valley. It also brought public transport service to a halt.
Areas in Kishtwar including Hullar, Poohi, Wazguawari and Pochhal were disconnected and people forced to travel by foot after the mountainous area was covered by about one feet snow. The district also plunged into darkness after power failure during midnight.
As per reports, higher reaches of the district including Palmar, Dacchan, Padder, Marwah and Warwan also witnessed fresh snowfall.
Normal life was thrown out of gear in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch as well following heavy snowfall and incessant rains since last evening. The downpour caused a snag in 132 KVA power feeding line.
As per reports, high altitude towns in the twin districts including Poonch Mandi, Surankote, Thanamandi, Darhal, Kotranka and Budhal received 6 inch to one feet snow that continued throughout Tuesday.
The traffic movement on Kotranka-Khawas road, Thanamandi-DKG-Bufliyaz, Kotranka-Rajouri and Kotranka-Budhal remained suspended due to icy and slippery conditions.
Reports said that about two feet snow accumulated near Jawahar Tunnel in Banihal and 1.5 feet near Patnitop, forcing authorities to shut the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
The fresh spell of snow plummeted temperature in the region several notches below normal.
The minimum temperature in Jammu was recorded at 10.4 degree Celsius and maximum at 11.4 degree Celsius which is seven notches below normal, sources said.