Remain vigilant in view of severe weather conditions, Azad to Adm.

Srinagar, Feb 7 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today directed the divisional administration in Kashmir to remain vigilant for the coming few days in view of the severe weather conditions and forecast of more snow fall.

The Chief Minister who flew in from Jammu today to take stock of the situation arising out of the heavy snowfall for the past few days, was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Taj Mohiuddin and Minister for Social Welfare Abdul Ghani Vakil.

The State plane carrying the Chief Minister and his colleagues was the first aircraft to have landed in Srinagar in the past three days. The Chief Minister had tried several times to visit the valley and personally monitor the situation there but the weather did not permit him to proceed.

Immediately after his arrival, Mr Azad chaired a high level meeting of senior divisional officers and heads of departments headed by the Divisional Commissioner, Mehboob Iqbal and enquired about the latest position with regard to essential supplies and snow clearance.

He was informed that 43 snow clearing machines had been pressed into service in the Valley, 27 of which were deployed in south districts of Kulgam, Anantnag and Shopian where maximum snowfall had been recorded.

Mr Azad was told that roads to all district headquarters have been cleared of snow and traffic restored. The famous winter resort of Gulmarg was also connected despite eight feet of snow accumulation.

Roads leading to hospitals, water supply schemes and other public service utilities were also restored.

Efforts were on to restore the road connectivity in all areas for the plying of normal traffic, with men and machinery deployed in sufficient numbers.

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