Doda Buried Under Heavy Snowfall: Residents Advised to Stay Indoors
Image Source: Internet
A second consecutive day of heavy snowfall in Doda's Bhalesa area has left residents facing a challenging situation. The local administration has urged people to stay indoors due to obstructed roads and services. Temperatures have plummeted below zero, with nearly one foot of snow recorded in the plains and up to three feet in the upper hilly regions. Essential services, including electricity and water supply, have been disrupted, and roads remain blocked due to landslides, fallen trees, and heavy snow. Emergency services are the only ones permitted until conditions improve. In a welcome respite from a three-month dry spell, snowfall began in Doda's Bhalesa and surrounding areas on Friday, bringing relief and happiness to the residents. The Banihal town in Ramban district also witnessed its first heavy snowfall of the season, leading to a sharp drop in temperature and reduced visibility. Other areas, including Baramulla, Budgam, and Batote, received significant snowfall, covering the region in a picturesque white blanket. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed due to heavy rain and snowfall, and air travel was disrupted, with several flights cancelled or suspended from Srinagar Airport. Authorities halted all traffic on NH-44 as a precautionary measure due to slippery road conditions. Meanwhile, the Bhaderwah Winter Carnival, which began on Sunday, has been attracting tourists from across the country, contributing to Jammu and Kashmir's economy. The MLA, Daleep Singh Parihar, expressed gratitude to the visitors who traveled from distant places to attend the festival.
