Kupwara, Feb 9: Snowfall has damaged at least 35 houses in this frontier district, locals said on Tuesday.
Snowfall, according to the locals, has wreaked havoc in Lolab, Keegam, Khurhama, Shah Muqam Wali, Kalaroos, Mankal, Butshingi, Rajpora  areas of Kupwara and Handwara. “Roofs of dozens of houses have been damaged, forcing families to live under open sky despite inclement weather conditions,” locals said.
 “Snow damaged many houses in our village,” Nazir Ahmed of Keegam told Greater Kashmir over phone.
 He said that none of the officials had visited the affected villages. “Most link roads connecting various villages with towns are still snow bound as snow clearance operations are yet to commence,” he added.
 Locals said that most roads in Lolab, Hyhama, Rajwar, Nowgam, Kralpora and Vilgam  were choked due  to non-clearance of snow. “We are restricted to our homes. The government is in deep slumber,” residents said.
 “The entire district is reeling under darkness for past 5-days as electric poles and lines have been damaged. Even DC office is without electricity,” they added.
 Legislator Abdul Haq Khan said that several houses had been damaged in Lolab area due to heavy snowfall.” The walnut and apple trees have also been uprooted,” he added.
 Official said, Sadhna top, Z-Gali, Lolab, Kupwara and Handwara had received 7, 8,3,2,2 feet of snowfall and majority of areas are inaccessible due to accumulation of snow on the roads.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Showkat Ahmed Mir, said they had received reports about partial damage to residential houses in different parts of the district.
 “We don’t have exact figures as the areas are inaccessible. We will dispatch our teams to affected areas once the roads are cleared,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST