Snowfall hits power, air links in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, March 9 (IANS) Heavy snowfall threw normal life out of gear in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, disrupting electricity, road and air links between Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country.

The strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway No. 1A remained closed for the second day on Monday while air traffic, which was suspended on Sunday, was resumed in the morning.

Trains' movement in Kashmir was also suspended because of gathering snow on the rail tracks.

Overnight rain and snowfall toppled electric poles in many parts of Kashmir, including in Srinagar city, disrupting electricity supply.

"All flights were cancelled yesterday afternoon due to accumulation of snow on the runway. However, snow was cleared and flights operated as per schedule on Monday," an airport official said here Monday.

Srinagar received 18 cm of snowfall during the past 12 hours and the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 0.3 degree Celsius on Monday.

In Gulmarg town 30 cm snowfall was recorded, and mercury dipped to minus 7 degrees below the freezing point, the weather office said.

The state administration postponed all secondary education board and university exams scheduled for Monday. "Fresh dates for the postponed papers will be notified separately," authorities said.

The Met Office said the weather will improve after March 9. "Weather will remain mainly dry in the state during the next 24 hours," a meteorological department official said.

In Ladakh region, Leh town recorded the minimum temperature of minus 2.4 degrees and Kargil town was colder at minus 6.4 degrees Celsius.

"The night temperature in Jammu city was 9.8 degrees Celsius", the official added.