Srinagar, Jan 8: CPI (M) District Development Council (DDC) members of Kulgam district Mohammad Afzal Parry, Gh Mohiudin Lone, Mohamad Abass Rather, Akhtara and Ruby Jan in a joint statement on Friday said that unprecedented snowfall in Kulgam district have caused massive power breakdown, road blockade and scarcity of the essential commodities.
“Kulgam district being mostly hilly and far-flung has received heavy snowfall. In the upper belt of the district, various places have witnessed more than 6 feet snowfall. Several villages have been cut off from the district headquarters since the last so many days,” they said in a statement.
They said with heavy snowfall, the administration seems to have come to a grinding halt. “Snow is yet to be cleared on several roads in the district resulting in tremendous hardship to the general public especially ladies, elderly and patients who have to walk miles on foot to reach hospitals for treatment.”
“There are few snow cutters and other machines in the whole district which are insufficient. The district needs more snow cutters and other machinery. The Mechanical Engineering department should speed up snow clearance on a war footing basis. Despite constraints, administration should shoulder responsibility.”
“The snowfall has damaged power distribution lines causing massive power breakdown in the district which has plunged the district especially hilly and far-flung area into darkness. Although power supply in some places have been restored, several areas are yet to be restored,” they said.
CPI (M) DDC members urged the district administration to expedite the restoration of power supply as people have been braving biting cold. The administration must ensure that there was no scarcity of essential commodities including LPG, kerosene oil and ration, they said. — (KNO)