Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Jan 24(KNS): A powerful snowstorm accompanied by strong gusty winds battered several parts of Bandipora district, particularly the Gurez and Tulail areas, resulting in partial damage to nearly 100 structures, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, said on Saturday.
According to official sources, the affected structures are spread across multiple areas, including parts of Sumbal and villages in the Tulail sub-division, with Abdullan village among the worst hit. The storm struck on Friday evening and continued into the early hours of Saturday, severely disrupting normal life in the upper reaches of the district.
Local reports from Tulail indicated that heavy snowfall and strong winds damaged rooftops and portions of residential and ancillary structures. However, officials confirmed that no loss of life or major structural collapse has been reported so far.
Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib said that damage assessment is underway and the number of affected structures may increase as revenue teams continue ground verification.
“At present, around 100 structures have been reported as partially damaged. Assessment teams are on the ground, and the final figures will be known after detailed verification. No major damage has been reported so far,” she said.
The Deputy Commissioner also stated that power supply was disrupted in parts of Sumbal after electricity lines from the Pattan side were damaged due to adverse weather conditions.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelRestoration work has already been initiated to normalize supply at the earliest.
Regarding road connectivity, Chib said that snow clearance operations are in full swing, with the Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) actively engaged. “Most inner roads across the district have been cleared and all three towns are functional. However, the Bandipora–Gurez road remains closed due to heavy snow accumulation,” she said, adding that the road is likely to be restored by evening, subject to weather conditions.
In view of the prevailing situation, the district administration has issued an avalanche alert for the higher reaches, particularly Gurez and Tulail. Residents have been advised to remain vigilant, strictly follow official advisories, and avoid unnecessary travel towards Gurez until the road is officially reopened.
Reassuring the public, the Deputy Commissioner said that essential supplies, including LPG and fuel, are sufficiently stocked, and no shortages have been reported.
She added that the district administration is closely monitoring the situation and has directed all concerned departments to remain on high alert to respond swiftly to any weather-related emergencies.(KNS).