NEW DELHI: An intense cold wave swept most parts of northern India claiming two lives, while Kashmir valley was cut off Dec 28 from the rest of the country due 10 blockade of the Jammu Srinagar national highway.
The 300km Jammu Srinagar national highway, the sole link ‘between the valley and the rest of the country, was blocked between Jawahar tunnel and Patni Top due to landslides and accumulation of snow
Heavy rains, hailstorm and strong surface winds lashed several parts of Jammu region, including the Jammu city, since Thursday bringing a substantial fall in day temperature.
‘All flights to and from Srinagar to Delhi and Jammu were cancelled for the day in view of inclement weather which also affected telecommunication services.
Reports from Jammu said a pilgrim succumbed to intense cold wave at the Vaishno Devi shrine on Thursday.
‘The Lahaul and Spiti districts in the neighboring Himachal Pradesh state experienced heavy snowfall for the fourth day Friday. Keylong in the district recorded 21 inches Snowfall, while some other ranges recorded heavier snowfall, Chandertal and Surajtal lakes situated at a height of 4270 meters were frozen with the mercury plummeting to ‘minus 17 degree Celsius.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 4, 1991
