All schools, colleges closed in Kashmir valley till Mar 20

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) has been closed for vehicular traffic for the last three days because of  landslides at several places, leaving several passengers and tourists stranded at different places. They  are waiting for authorities to clean up the highway for them to continue their journey.

After the recent incessant snowfall , there has been an unprecedented dip in the temperatures in Kashmir valley.

Kashmir has witnessed unexpected snowfall of over seven inches over the past few days, particularly in  Srinagar.

The valley is under darkness for the third consecutive day and snow have accumulated on roads.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar said water-logging is mainly due to lack of outflow channels in the valley.

“The reason for this is that we are in a bowl shaped valley and at the bottom of it water gets collected and whatever outflow channels we have, they are very slow. They are slow as water generally flows from top to bottom but in this situation all the mediums to take this water out are at a higher level and due to that whenever water gets clogged in Srinagar city, we have problems in taking it out,” said Kumar.

On March 11, 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.

Bad weather has also hit power and water supply in Kashmir and sewerage, drainage and other civic services have also come to a breakdown.