Fresh bout of snowfall in Kashmir

Most parts of Kashmir Valley got a fresh spell of snowfall today while prediction of moderate to heavy snowfall in the region has prompted authorities to gear up to tackle any eventuality.
"Snowfall is forecast for the next 48 hours in the Valley ... We are ready to deal with such an eventuality," Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Rohit Kansal told PTI.
The Kashmir Valley, including summer capital Srinagar and other plain areas, received fresh snowfall today, a day after 'Chillai-Kalan' -- the 40-day harshest winter period-- ended.
Kansal said a three-tier plan has been prepared to ensure least disruption to movement of traffic in the Valley in case of heavy snowfall.

"The first priority will be to keep the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway motorable followed by inter-district roads in the Valley," he said.
Kansal said the roads leading to hospitals, power stations and water supply schemes will be next on the list.

"We want to ensure minimum disruption in basic amenities to the residents of the Valley," he said.
The Divisional Commissioner said there was enough stock of essential commodities in the Valley in case of the Srinagar-Jammu road getting closed due to snowfall.
Heavy snowfall during winter sometimes forces closure of Srinagar-Jammu arterial road for several days. However, one-way traffic was plying on the road till last reports came in.

An avalanche warning was issued yesterday to people living in areas above 2,500 metres altitude in the Valley. The residents of these areas were asked not to venture in avalanche prone areas especially in mountainous areas close to the Line of Control.
Meanwhile, due to snowfall in most parts of the Valley, minimum temperatures rose by several notches providing relief from the intense cold.
"Snowfall was recorded in higher reaches including the tourist resorts of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Kupwara in the Valley during the night," a MET Department spokesman said.