Heavy snowfall kills 7 people in Jammu and Kashmir

By Nusrat Sidiq

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Seven people including two soldiers are reported killed and several injured, in Indian-administered Kashmir, as heavy snowfall threw life out of gear in the region.

The snowfall that started since Wednesday night has clogged road, snapped electricity and damaged trees. The region is already facing a lockdown since Aug. 5, when India revoked its autonomy.

"In the last 24 hours seven persons were killed in the snow related incidents across region," a local government official said.

Qazi Hashmat, Chief Engineer of Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department told Anadolu Agency that power supply will be restored soon.

"Our workers from the morning are on the job, we are trying our best to restore the electricity by evening," the official said.

The accumulation of snow on the roads has affected connectivity. It has also triggered many avalanches in upper reaches.

According to officials, they are clearing snow from roads to restore connectivity.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway -- the only surface link between Kashmir Valley and rest of world -- has also been closed to vehicular traffic. Officials at Srinagar airport, said that as many as 32 flights were cancelled due to bad weather.

The snowfall has also caused extensive damage to orchards, particularly apple trees in south Kashmir, according to an official statement.