Snowfalls shut Kashmir, stranded people evacuated

More than 400 people were evacuated safely from inside the snow-covered Jawahar Tunnel near Qazigund as life in the Kashmir Valley was affected largely on Friday due to severe cold condition triggered by heavy snowfall.

Army and and para-military forces, aided by the state agencies, have safely evacuated the stranded people inside the tunnel since Thursday after heavy snow chocked the mouths of the huge tunnel.

Many roads, including the 294-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, have been blocked by the snow.

All incoming and outgoing flights have been suspended at the local airport that virtually cut off the state capital from the rest of the country.

The administration for precautionary measure closed many highways due to continuous snowfall since Thursday.

Official sources said heavy snow covered the Jawahar Tunnel sector and the road has become slippery.

“All kind of traffic from Banihal to Qazigund and from Levadoora/ Zig to Banihal has been stopped to avoid any mishap.”

They said no roads have been visible under about the knee-deep snow.