Kashmir buried under thick snow, people angry with government response

Srinagar: As was predicted by the weather men, snow kept another of its trysts with Kashmir piling woes on people and catching government in its familiar inertia. Srinagar received 8 inches of snow and areas close to the Pir Panjal mountain range lie buried under two to four feet of snow.

"We are under three feet of snow. The upper areas of Kulgam have got more. One house has been partially damaged in Damhal village," Khursheed-ul Islam told IBNLive.com from DK Pora.

Heavy snow has blocked the sole strategic surface link - Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Flights in and out of Srinagar were cancelled for the day and the showpiece Kashmir train lay motionless with miles of rails under mounds of snow.

Srinagar's Metrological head Sonam Lotus said this is the heaviest snowfall in the past 10 years in January and there is a similar forecast for the next 12 hours. He said people near mountains have been asked to exhibit caution in view of the threat of avalanches and snow-slides.

Eight inches of snow in Srinagar and more in hinterland, however, exposed government's response to tackle the situation. Power and water supply got hit promptly because of uprooting of electric poles and damages to lines at several places. And snow clearance missions were extremely tardy. Many roads in Srinagar were clogged in snow and lots of vehicles were seen bumping into each other. Huge traffic snarls made matters worse and the administration seemed to be caught unaware.

People responded with anger, posting pictures of "callous" attitude of the administration on social media. Atiq, a resident of Gutilbagh from Ganderbal constituency, a segment which had sent Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to state Assembly lamented that snow was not lifted from the roads in his area.

"A lady patient returned after 6 km drag. A tractor was sent by the PWD (Public Works Department) which just managed to escape and flee." he tweeted. "Witnessed the agony of another sick relative walking 3 km difficult terrain to reach nowhere."

His tweet drew a response from a member of the ruling National Conference. "There would be some disruption on day one - anywhere. However, response can be more swift and better coordinated," wrote Juanid Mattoo, NC leader.

Ibnebattuta tweeted, "Stuck in traffic since last one hour now. Roads have not been cleared, drive slippery and government has already slipped. Woe this government and administration that hides when people need it the most!"

"Everything going on normally in Gupkar, why should he (Omar Abdullah) worry, let people vote," wrote Javiad Naikoo on the micro-blogging site. "We are doing our job and will speed up to restore power and water. Let the snow stop," an official said.

Reacting to the report, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "I appreciate the disruption that heavy snowfall causes. Teams are on stand by & will swing in to action as soon as the snowfall eases. People must accept that it is difficult to restore electricity & connectivity while it is still snowing. The situation is being monitored. (sic)"