By IANS
Srinagar : After a week of heavy snowfall, the sun shone bright in the Kashmir Valley Saturday bringing relief to the people although the threat of avalanches continued to loom in the higher reaches.
The electric supply in much of the snow-hit areas was restored. All major roads have been cleared of snow, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Mehboob Iqbal said.
“We had respite after seven days of snowfall today (Saturday) as the clouds parted, bringing on the sun in Kashmir,” said T.K. Jotshi, assistant director with the weather department.
“Fair weather conditions are going to continue for at least three days. Because of clear night skies, the minimum temperature, which had risen because of the cloud cover, has again started falling. It was minus three degrees Celsius in Srinagar today,” said Jotshi.
Jotshi also warned of more snow avalanches in the higher reaches of the valley.
Meanwhile, the death toll in avalanches and roof collapses across the state has risen to 19. The civil administration has sought the assistance of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force in relief and rescue operations.
The army and air force helicopters have started carrying relief and rescue sorties in the affected areas.
“We have put up over 600 civilians who were rescued from avalanche prone areas in makeshift accommodations,” said Mehboob Iqbal.