The record-breaking snowfall on Thursday threw life out of gear across the Chenab Valley, especially in Bhaderwah Valley which received maximum snow, causing massive power outages, traffic disruptions and widespread damage to apple cultivation and other crops in the hilly region.
The entire region reels under severe power crisis since Wednesday and all the roads remained closed for the second day on Friday.
The residents of Bhaderwah town are up in arms against the administration, as according to them, despite improvement in weather, the administration “failed to initiate restoration work”.
Reports from Chenab Valley said that the entire border region received record-breaking snowfall on Thursday. In Bhaderwah town, 3.5 feet of snow was recorded, while in peripheral areas, accumulation of snow was 4 feet at Sartingal, Bheja, Haliyan, Runta, Manthla, Kansar, Dharmunda, Shankhoja, Laksaru and Hanga. Meanwhile, 4.5 feet was reported to have accumulated at Chinchora, Ghuraka, Trabbi, Thanalla and Basti.
Although, the weather improved on Friday morning as the sun came out after 3 days of inclement weather, but the locals alleged that the civil administration remained in “deep slumber”.
“This is complete failure of the civil administration as we are unable to locate why they are still in sleeping mode and have not shown any urgency to restore essential services even in the town itself,” said Neeraj Singh Manhas, a resident of Attalgarh, Bhaderwah.
“Here, at Bhaderwah, we have been left with the most incompetent administration, as despite such a heavy snowfall, no one from the administration seems to be even bothered to enquire about the well being of the people,” said Ajay Kotwal, a resident of Mohallah Khakhal, Bhaderwah.
“ADC and his subordinates are making mockery of the suffering of the people as despite circulating helpline numbers of food civil supplies and consumer affairs (FCSCA) by the assistant director Zakir Hussain Wani, none of the ration or kerosene oil depot was opened for the public. The ADC is responsible for the chaos, as he seems to be least bothered about all of it,” said Nasir K Shah, a resident of Mohallah Qilla.
On being contacted by Greater Kashmir, ADC Bhaderwah, Dr Ravi Kumar Bharti, refused to answer any of the queries regarding restoration process, with a plea that he will come back with a statement soon.
In Ramban district as well, the people complained of severe power and water crisis.
The residents said, “We are without power and water supply since Thursday morning. Even though the snowfall recorded was less than 2 inches, the administration has failed to do ensure basic amenties.”
Several areas, including Chanderkote, Seri, Maitra, Gandhari, Parnote, Karool, Neera, Kanga and Maroog are without power and electric supply since Thursday morning, the locals complained.
On being contacted by Greater Kashmir, the officers of power development department said that rain and snowfall has damaged conductors and electric poles at various places and hopefully, everything will be rectified by Friday evening.