Nearly 600 structures, including dozens of residential houses, have been partially damaged due to the recent heavy snowfall in the Kashmir Valley, Jammu and Kashmir government said on Thursday.
The government said power supply, which was affected due to the snowfall, had been restored to 60 per cent of the areas. “Due to heavy snowfall, about 600 structures have been partially damaged in different parts of the Valley and the field functionaries have been instructed to submit the damage assessment report for early relief to the affected families,” a spokesman said after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey.
The meeting was convened on Wednesday to take stock of the situation arising out of heavy snowfall which paralysed normal life with all important services, including power and water, badly hit.
With regard to restoration of power, which was disrupted mainly due to felling of trees under the weight of snow, it was said at the meeting that 60 per cent of power supply had been restored in the Valley while 90 per cent restoration would be done by this evening and complete restoration by tomorrow, the spokesman said.
Emergency services to all hospitals with regard to power and water supply were restored on priority, the spokesman said.
At the meeting, Khandey expressed satisfaction over the restoration works being carried out and issued directions for complete restoration of power supply and ensuring better facilities in all health institutions of the Valley.
The spokesman said 75 dewatering pumps, 45 mobile pumps and 15 fire and emergency tenders were put in service to clear water from various inundated areas of the city.
Besides, snow was cleared from the compounds of various hospitals on priority to ensure hassle-free movement of people for medicare facilities. Later, the Chief Secretary visited various areas of the city, including Rainawari hospital to enquire about the facilities being made available to the patients and also interacted with them.
The government has ordered closure of all educational institutions, including government and private degree colleges till March 15.
“All government and private degree colleges and schools from primary to higher secondary level will remain closed till March 15, in view of heavy snowfall in Kashmir Valley,” the spokesman said, adding violation in this regard should be viewed seriously.
