Snow blanket covered Bhadarwah.
STATE TIMES NEWS
BHADARWAH: Although snowfall in Chenab Valley brings respite and a sigh of relief to residents, enhancing the beauty of the majestic and pristine mountainous landscape, unfortunately, it also puts a freeze on daily life in the region.
People of Chenab region in general and Bhadarwah Valley in particular are rejoicing snow which ended two month long dry spell but simultaneously heavy snowfall also paralysed normal life in most parts of Chenab Valley on Tuesday, as all the major internal roads remained closed for traffic, while power and water supply also got badly affected especially in far-off areas.
According to reports, heavy snowfall since Monday early morning has hit normal life in the Bhadarwah Valley with electricity snapped in whole Additional District Bhadarwah since Monday morning.
“It is like I am living inside a deep freezer,” said Dr Aadil Malik who has come from Ludhiana to visit his family in Bhadarwah. “There is no gas, electricity or even water in the homes. Everything is frozen,” said Aadil who finds it difficult to live in his birthplace after spending few years in Ludhiana. On Tuesday, the mercury dipped to minus 8 degree Celsius in Bhadarwah and Gandoh, minus 7 degrees in Banihal and minus 6 degrees in Desa area of Doda. Despite bright sunshine today, chilly weather has compelled residents to stay indoors. According to locals, the drop in temperature makes life harder for them. Even washing, bathing and cooking becomes a challenge with water frozen in pipes and limited fuel for heating. Communications remain suspended, with huge heaps of snow on the roads. The heaviest snowfall of the season so far was recorded in Bhadarwah Valley.
The local administration managed to clear the main roads of snow this morning but majority of people remained confined to their homes as the lanes, bylanes and internal roads were still covered with heaps of snow.
Most of the city roads including historical Seri Bazaar remained waterlogged as de-watering exercise could not be started due to huge accumulation of snow from the rooftops.
Despite administration giving assurance of possessing enough stock of essential commodities and stern warning and action against black marketers and hoarders, locals are still complaining about acute shortage of several commodities especially kerosene oil, milk and vegetables.
Soon after Chenab Valley received fresh snowfall, power supply to the many rural and urban areas was snapped.
When contacted Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhadarwah Imam Din Kichloo said he had reviewed the situation with senior officials and massive rescue operation had started to clear all the roads and restore essential services at the earliest.
“Snow has been cleared from Bhadarwah – Doda Highway and traffic is plying normally on this vital link, while efforts were afoot to restore traffic in the internal roads and also power supply. Hospitals and vital installations have been taken up on priority basis to restore power as soon as possible,” he said adding that a snag has developed on 33 KV line, but we have managed to restore the line till Bhalla and PDD officials are on job to get the job work at the earliest.
According to reports, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Gandoh, Padder, Marwah, Sinthan Top, Mughal Maidan, Dessa, Gurmal, Siraj, Tanta, Gandri, Kabbi, Neel Top, Mahu, Mangat, Kharri ,Gool, Gandoh, Bhalessa, Jaie, Padri, Ashapati and other areas of Chenab Valley also received heaviest snowfall of the season, throwing normal life out of gear.