Continuous snowfall hits normal life in J

Jammu, Feb 6 (UNI) A continuous spell of fresh snowfall for the third consecutive day today threw life out of gear in different regions of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources here said.

The remote areas of the Jammu region, including Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, received uninterrupted snowfall since late night whereas it also continued at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and upper reaches of Trikuta hills.

''Most of the remote villages remained cut off from Bhaderwah and Kishtwar districts due to the continuous spell of snowfall,'' official sources told UNI, adding that five feet of snow has been reported in the Bhaderwah town while 6-7 feet in the far-flung villages, including Shariki, Thalen, Mantala and Sansar.

Remote villages such as Kakul, Chinchora, Moorsanda in Bhaderwah and Koona, Kanau, Batoli and Barsu in Bhalessa were completely covered under the snow and people directed to restrict their movements due to the threat of an avalanche.

''There is no supply of ration and kerosene oil on the depots in the remote areas for the past three days. People are facing scarcity of essential commodities,'' the sources said, adding around 20 bovine animals had died of extreme cold and fodder shortage.

Continuous snowfall have also been reported at Bhawan in Katra town of Reasi district. ''Around two feet of snow has been recorded at Bhawan as compared to the upper reaches of Trikuta hills, which has touched the figure of 5-6 feet,'' an official said.

''Despite biting cold and snowfall, around 4000 to 5000 pilgrims are paying obeisance at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine,'' the sources added.

UNI VBH KD DS1700