Roads to border town of Gurez, dozens of other villages closed

Bandipora, Jan 11: The border town of Gurez and dozens of other far-flung and remote villages, including those near the Line of Control (LoC) were cut off from district headquarters, Bandipora, in north Kashmir on Friday due to fresh snowfall.

Deputy Commissioner (DC), Bandipora, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary said majority roads which were closed due to snowfall since last night, have been put through after the snow was cleared.

The snow clearance operation, which was started at 0300 hrs, was also going on Binlipora - Ketson Road, Arin - Dardpora Road, Argam - Chapran Road and Khayar - Lawaypora Road. These roads are likely to reopen shortly, he added.

He said three 11 KV within the Electric Division Sumbal under faulty and efforts are being made to restore them as early as possible.

An official of Control Room (CR) set up at Bandipora said the Bandipora-Gurez road has again been closed due to fresh snowfall. Traffic on the road, which connects Gurez, which is surrounded by Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) from three sides, and other dozens of villages with Bandipora, was restored yesterday after remaining suspended for over a week. However, he said, the vehicles were directed to use anti skid chains during the travel to avoid any accident.

There was fresh snowfall since last evening on the road, particularly at Razdan pass due to which traffic was again suspended, CR official told TNN over phone.

He said majority roads, including those connecting different villages and towns with Bandipora, are now through after the snow was cleared by putting into service dozens of snow clearance machine since wee hours today.

Dr Choudhary said the District Administration has approved Rs 60 Lakh plan proposal for providing safety equipment including protective gears, clothing, gloves, shoes, rain coats, protective jackets, helmets and essential items to 1,210 field staff of various departments associated with delivery of essential services and disaster response system.

The DDC also directed for evolving community disaster management response system at the level of sub-divisional officers by pooling local resources. He said provision of 4X4 vehicles to be kept at the disposal of health department for ferrying patients free of cost in wake any natural calamity like snowfall and attending to emergencies has also been approved. Meanwhile, 52 ambulances are being immediately equipped for operating during snowfall.

In view of latest weather advisory, the DC directed for positioning of snow clearance machines at all critical spots and pressing these into service as soon as snow starts to accumulate. He stressed on prioritising snow-clearance from roads leading to important installations. The R&B was asked to work in close coordination with the other line departments.