CRPF snow clearing drive on in Kashmir

Paramilitary crews of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been battling to clear the snow since Monday in Kashmir, but it seems that it might take more days for the force to clean up.

Road authorities said they will plow and remove snow during night shift and ensure that roads as well as sidewalks were safe for commuting.

CRPF has been working hard for clearing snow but have been facing frequent landslides since last two nights.

Recently, Kashmir has been experiencing unseasonal snowfall and has dumped seven inches of snow particularly in Srinagar.

The valley is under darkness for the third consecutive day and snow accumulated roads, streets and water logging is creating hell for the people.

To help the people, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has launched massive snow clearance operation in the whole valley.

CRPF has deployed 40 battalions in almost all the districts of Kashmir to help clear the inner roads and rescuing people from the avalanche hit areas.

According to the CRPF, massive snow clearance and rescue operation have been launched across the whole valley.

The CRPF's Public Relations Officer Kishore Prasad said on Thursday that the force is committed to help the people who have been facing problems due to incessant snowfall.

"CRPF has a track record for helping the people, whatever the work may be. Many residents are facing problems due to the heavy snowfall. However, the CRPF is assisting people in all their problems, be it water-logging, clearing snow or making sure that the traffic moves smoothly", said Prasad.

Snow clearing teams were assigned to all districts to plow trouble spots susceptible to drifting and blockage.

The residents have welcomed this move as it has brought relief to them.

A local resident of Srinagar, Habib Ullah, said that he is very thankful to the CRPF for clearing the roads.

"We are very thankful to the CRPF as they are helping sick people in reaching hospitals and clearing the roads. Before, there was water logging on the streets and people were finding it difficult even to walk here. You can see that the CRPF has now cleared the roads to enable us to take our vehicles on the roads", said Habib Ullah.

On Tuesday, authorities had issued warnings regarding avalanche strikes to various areas in the higher reaches and had asked people not to roam about on steep slopes for the next 24 hours.

Essential supplies were cut off. The power supply to the capital city as well as to the entire Kashmir valley had been completely shut down from Tuesday afternoon and all the other services including drinking water supply, essential supplies, sewerage, drainage and other civic services have also come to a breakdown.