Bracing for the season’s first major snowfall, the authorities in Kashmir on Saturday warned of heavy snowfall and avalanches in the coming days. The State government has mobilised resources for any eventuality.
The meteorological department in Srinagar has predicted “widespread snowfall and rain in Kashmir from December 11 to 12”. “This will be the first major wet spell during the current season in J&K,” said Sonam Lotus, Director, Meteorological Department.
He said the weather system “may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation like the Srinagar-Leh, Srinagar-Jammu, Mughal Road highways”.
The department has also issued avalanche warnings for the upper reaches.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday directed positioning of snow clearance machines at critical spots “so that snow is cleared in minimum time”.
The management of Valley’s premier hospitals — Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and Shri Maharaja Hari Singh — have been asked to maintain adequate “stock of medicine”.
Chief Secretary B.B. Vyas, has directed the administration “to be ready to meet any eventuality”. “Electricity to health institutions and critical establishments should be ensured. It should also be ensured that generators in hospitals etc. are in working condition,” said Mr. Vyas. Two battalions of SDRF have been put on standby mode.
