Srinagar, Dec 11: The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon has directed all Deputy Commissioners, Head of Departments and District Senior  Superintendents of Police to activate their men and machinery in view of an approaching Western Disturbance, due to which there is possibility of moderate to heavy snowfall over hilly areas and light to moderate snowfall at many places in the Kashmir Division from 12th to 18th December, which is likely to intensify on 13th and 14th December, 2012, an official spokesman said.
 Nearly 101 snow clearance machines of Mechanical Engineering department which include 71 snow ploughs, 19 snow cats, 10 snow cutters and 1 dozer, would be pressed into service to clear snow from major black topped roads of Valley. The snow clearance machines have already been placed at various headquarters in north, south and central Kashmir.
 The spokesman said 35 machines have been kept at central snow control room for Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts. Nearly 30 machines have been deployed for Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama. Similarly, 36 machines for Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora, which also include one snow cutter, one plough and one dozer deployed in Gurez Sub-Division, 4 cutters and 4 ploughs at Gulmarg.
 Besides this, Gulmarg Development Authority also has one snow cutter. Snow clearance operation would start, as soon as the depth of snow exceeds 4 inches and the clearance will be done as per Snow Clearance Plan, already formulated. Chief Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Kashmir has established a Central Snow Control Room at Srinagar, which is functioning round the clock and the contact number is 0194-2497458.
 Chief Engineer R&B Kashmir has also kept his men and machinery in a state of readiness to clear snow from major district roads, with the help of tractors, JCBs and manually. Instructions have been given to all Executive Engineers of R&B to ensure removal of any fallen trees that may block the roads. Chief Engineer Beacon has been asked to keep machinery in a state of readiness, to clear snow from the Srinagar-Jammu Highway and ensure that the Highway remains open.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 IST