Sun out, life limping back to normal though roads still under snow in Srinagar

Srinagar, Feb 8: Life is limping back to normal on Friday after remaining almost crippled due to snowfall yesterday in summer capital, Srinagar, where majority roads, particularly inner links, remained under snow disrupting traffic and pedestrian movement.

According to the Met department spokesman, the weather will improve from early this morning after snowfall and rain during the past 48 hours.

The Sun was out today resulting in melting of snow on the roads, roof tops and open field in summer capital, Srinagar, where majority interior roads remained snowbound. Traffic and pedestrian movement remained disrupted in the interior areas as authorities failed to clear the snow.

Most of the main roads still have snow on both sides while the middle portion was water lodged. The people alleged that the snow was cleared in the city only some routes, being used by the top bureaucrats. However, plying of private and public transport helped melting of snow on other routes ignored by the administration.

Majority shops and business establishments which remained closed yesterday due to snow-bound roads and cold breeze, have started resuming normal activities in the business hubs in the city.

Large number of vehicles hit the streets in the city since early this morning after snow started melting as the Sun was out, ending the wet weather during the past 48 hours providing some relief to people. However, most of the roads are under water, badly hitting pedestrian movement.

Though electricity has been restored in the city yesterday, but it was still playing hide and seek at some areas. There will be power failure in some areas today for several hours in the city, including Exchange road, where the TNN and other offices are located, a Power Development Department (PDD) official said. When asked about the reason for power curtailment, the official said there was some fault which is being repaired.

Majority interior roads in the city, including Budshah Nagar, Azadbasti, Iram Lane and Natipora, remained under snow. Since the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) employees are on strike, there was no snow clearance operation this time, the residents alleged. ''We had to abandon our vehicles in our homes since the interior roads, linking with main road, remained closed. Now the Sun will help to melt the snow and we will be able to drive our vehicles upto main road,'' they said.

The Met spokesman said due to snow and cold breeze during the night, the minimum temperature witnessed drop and settled at minus 1 degree, 0.6 notch below normal in Srinagar, where the maximum temperature yesterday was over 6 notches below normal. However, the day temperature will improve today though icy cold winds also continued, he added.