Kupwara, Jan,06: The Machil valley in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has been out of bounds for the past two days following heavy snowfall that has paralyzed normal life. With over 1 foot of snow blanketing the area, residents are grappling with restricted movement and a shortage of essential supplies.
The heavy snowfall has rendered the main road to Kupwara and inner link roads impassable, leaving the valley isolated. Residents, including former Sarpanch Muhammad Habibullah, expressed their frustration, citing difficulties in accessing mosques, visiting neighbours, and procuring daily necessities. "We are facing many problems. Roads are blocked, and we are cut off from the rest of the district. Authorities must take immediate action," Habibullah pleaded.
The situation has been particularly dire for patients, as the snow-covered terrain has hindered their access to medical facilities. Locals have urged the administration to expedite snow clearance operations to restore normalcy.
Speaking to Headlines Today, ACR Kupwara Peerzada Mumtaz said that the administration is actively working to clear the roads. “Efforts are underway to ensure snow removal in all affected areas. The Tehsildar is on the ground in Machil, personally monitoring the situation,” he said.
Providing updates on snow clearance, Peerzada revealed that:Out of 243.5 km of roads under the R&B Department, 150 km have been cleared.PMGSY has cleared 65 km of its 183 km road network The 150 km of roads under BRO, 50 km have been cleared. Additionally, 124 km of roads have been cleared by the MED Department.
The ACR assured that all available machinery and manpower were on the ground to address the situation. With weather conditions expected to improve, the administration anticipates clearing the remaining roads by tomorrow. Residents hope that the administration will deliver on its promise, as their daily lives remain disrupted due to the unrelenting snowfall.
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