Amid snowfall, J&K Administration orders rationing of essentials in Valley

Srinagar, January 5

Heavy snowfall on Tuesday snapped air and surface link with the Kashmir Valley from the rest of country forcing authorities to order rationing of essentials commodities to evade any crisis in supply.

The Srinagar-Jammu Highway remained closed for the third consecutive day. The nearly 300-km long highway is the lifeline of supplies for the landlocked Valley. Each time, the highway gets blocked, hoarders and profiteers resort to selling essentials on the black market. The authorities on Tuesday announced rationing of petroleum products and cooking gas.

An order issued by PK Pole, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner said two-wheelers would get 3 litres of fuel, three-wheelers 5 litres, four-wheelers (private) 10 litres, four-wheelers (commercial) 20 litres and heavy motor vehicles/buses/trucks would get 20 litres per day. It has been ordered that one cooking gas cylinder will be issued to the consumer after 21 days. Heavy snowfall has also disrupted electric supply in the Valley in addition to inter- and intra- district road links. — IANS

Flights grounded

Srinagar: Flight operations to and from Srinagar remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Tuesday due to poor visibility as the Valley received heavy snowfall, officials said. Operations will resume only after the weather improves, they said. PTI

Over 250 stranded vehicles cleared

Banihal/Jammu: Over 250 stranded vehicles on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, mostly carrying passengers, were cleared after the arterial road was briefly opened for one-way traffic between Banihal and Qazigund, officials said. PTI

Avalanche warning

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday issued fresh medium-level avalanche warning for higher reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Bandipora districts besides Waltengu Nad, South and North portals of Jawahar Tunnel, Verinag, Kapran, Chowkibal-NC Pass, Gurez, Dawar and Neeru areas. IANS