Drass, upper reaches in Kashmir receive snow

Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) World's second coldest place after Siberia, Drass in Ladakh region and upper reaches of the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall today, resulting in further drop in the temperature.

The severe cold, coupled with frequent power failure, crippled life in the Kashmir valley.

A report from Kargil said it was heavily snowing at Drass, Gumri, Zojila and Shaitan Nullah on the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway which was officially closed from November 15 for six winter months.

It said that heavy snowfall was experienced on the upper reaches in Kargil, resulting in considerable cold.

The rescue teams which had gone to Zero point on the highway for recovering the body of a Kashmiri teacher who was buried under snow avalanche yesterday, had to return back to Drass after fresh snowfall and high winds.

Reports said about 50 locals from Pandras village along with a police team had left Drass early this morning to recover the body.

The Sub District Magistrate (SDM) Khadim Hussain told UNI that rescue operation will be launched tomorrow morning if weather improved.

About 40 people had left Drass and Kargil yesterday morning for Srinagar but were caught in a snowstorm and avalanche near Zero point. Barring two teachers, others reached Sonamarg after covering the snowbound distance by foot. Both the teachers had died, reports said adding body of one of them was later recovered.

The icy cold winds were sweeping the plains in the Kashmir valley after upper reaches experienced snowfall resulting in considerable drop in temperature.

Frequent power failure in the Kashmir valley had disrupted life, leading to protest demonstrations at several places against the Power Development Department (PDD).

UNI BAS PK BD1740