The unprecedented snowfall has caused massive power breakdown, road blockade and scarcity of essential commodities in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, District Development Council (DDC) members of CPI (M) said Friday.
In a joint statement, DDC members of CPI (M) from south Kashmir’s Kulgam district Muhammad Afzal Parray, Ghulam Mohuiddin Lone, Muhammad Abbas Rather, Akhtara and Ruby Jan said several villages were cut off from Kulgam district headquarters for the past many days.
They said Kulgam district being mostly hilly and far-flung had received heavy snowfall with the upper belt of the district witnessing more than 6 feet snowfall.
“With heavy snowfall, the administration seems to have come to a grinding halt. Snow is yet to be cleared on several roads of the district, resulting in tremendous hardships to the general public, especially women, elderly and patients who have to walk miles on foot to reach hospitals for treatment,” the CPI (M) DDC members said in the joint statement.
They said there were only a few snow cutters and other machines in the entire district which were insufficient.
“The districts needs more snow cutters and other machinery. Mechanical Engineering department should speed up snow clearance on a war footing basis. Despite constraints, administration should take its responsibility. The snowfall has damaged power distribution lines, causing massive power breakdown in the district, which has plunged the district especially the hilly and far-flung areas into darkness. Although power supply in some places has been restored, several areas are yet reeling under darkness,” the joint statement said.
It said that the CPI (M) DDC members urged the district administration to expedite the restoration of power supply as people had been braving a biting cold.
“The administration must ensure that there is no scarcity of essential commodities including LPG, kerosene oil and ration,” the CPI (M) DDC members said in the joint statement.