M A I N   N E W S

Rain, snow hit life in Kashmir

Jammu, February 23
Life in the Kashmir valley, including the city, was hit, due to severe cold coupled with power failure, overflowing drains and damaged roads.

Most people in Srinagar remained indoor due to severe cold following fresh snow in the upper reaches and a heavy rain in the plains since last evening leading to a further fall in the temperature.

Most localities, including Rajbagh, Bemina, Batmaloo, Natipora, Badshah Nagar, Azad Basti and Nowgam Banapora were under one ft to 2 feet of water.

Most roads from Natipora and Nowgam to the residence of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed were also under rainwater with potholes at several places disrupting traffic.

People at several places in the city held demonstrations in protest against power failure for the past one week.

They blocked traffic and raised slogans against the authorities for their failure to restore the power supply. A spokesman of the Power Development Department said the power supply, disrupted due to the recent heavy snow had been restored the most of the areas in the valley barring north Kashmir.

Against the 600 MW power requirement in the morning and evening peak hours, only 250 MW was available from the Pampore gas turbine and the north grid.

This, he said, had necessitated curtailment of supply in a phased manner. He said the 400 KV Uri Wagoora transmission line was damaged by snow causing the disruption of the power supply. Similarly, one circuit of 220 KV double-circuit transmission line from the northern-grid and Udhampur Wanpoh 132 KV line was not functioning. UNI