Jammu, Jan 24:
Life across the high-altitude resorts of Jammu province has come to a standstill as incessant snowfall continued for the second consecutive night. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) remains closed for the second day, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and severing the primary link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.
Restoration Hopes Amid Sunny Intervals
Despite the paralysis in the higher reaches, a bright and sunny morning today has provided a glimmer of hope. Authorities are optimistic that the clear weather will facilitate the restoration of essential water and power supplies, which have been severely disrupted across the Ramban and Doda districts.
Ramban Administration Under Fire
The Ramban district administration has faced criticism for being caught unprepared. Remote tehsils including Gool, Ukhral, and Rajgarh remain entirely cut off from the district headquarters.
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Infrastructure Deficit: Reports indicate that road-clearing machinery and personnel from the Jammu Power Development Corporation Ltd (JPDCL) and Jal Shakti Vibhag have been insufficient to handle the scale of the accumulation.
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Commercial Impact: In Batote, local shopkeepers have kept shutters down for the second day as the lack of traffic on NH44 and NH244 has left markets empty.
Safety Advisories & Travel Warnings
In Doda’s Bhalesa area, where heavy snow continues to fall, SDM Gandoh has issued an urgent advisory:
“Residents are advised to stay indoors as a safety precaution. Roads are blocked by landslides and fallen trees, and temperatures have dipped well below zero. Only emergency services are permitted to move at this time.”
Traffic authorities have halted all movement at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur and Ramsoo as a precautionary measure due to extremely slippery road conditions. Air travelers are urged to contact their respective airlines as IndiGo and other carriers have suspended operations at Srinagar Airport.
A Bittersweet Moment for Tourists
While the snow has caused logistical chaos, it has brought joy to “snow buffs” stranded in the region. Families who were unable to reach Patnitop due to road blockages were seen along the highway turning the disruption into a holiday, with children playing snow games in the fresh powder.
