Three killed as Kashmir gets season's first snowfall

At least three people were killed as Jammu and Kashmir witnessed its first snowfall of the season, plunging the mercury to sub-zero in Gulmarg area of the Valley.

A woman covers her child with a shawl as they wait for transport in the snow in Srinagar. AP

Deep snow blocked some roads and damaged power lines, disrupting life in the region, besides air traffic being hit. The Met forecasts rain starting Thursday night and continuing on Friday.

A man removes snow from his roof in Srinagar, Kashmir. AP

The maximum temperature in Srinagar is 7˚C, while as it is -1˚C in the hill station of Gulmarg.

Most areas of the valley have plunged into darkness since last night with 330 KV transmission line disrupted due to snowfall.

Kashmiri girls walk with an umbrella on a road covered with snow in Srinagar. AP

"Work is on to restore the 330 KV transmission line that supplies electricity to 200 feeders, 70 per cent of the work has been completed and it is just a matter of a few hours when electricity will be fully restored," District Magistrate, Srinagar, Shahid Chowdhary said.

Snow clearance machines kept on standby have been pressed into service. However, the snow has not been cleared from most of the roads.

Boats are covered in snow in Dal lake during a first snowfall in Srinagar. AFP

Civil administrator Baser Khan said two porters working with the Indian army slipped into a deep gorge in frontier Kupwara bordering Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

He said efforts were underway to retrieve their bodies.

People walk along a road during a first snowfall in Srinagar. AFP

Another man working with the electricity department died in Srinagar, the region's main city while trying to restore power supplies, which have been disrupted. He fell off a pole, dying on the spot, officials said.

Municipal workers pull a scooter during a first snowfall in Srinagar. AFP

The snow caused large scale damage to apple trees, the mainstay of the region's economy. Roads were treacherous and mostly empty.

A migrant family warms themselves bear a fireplace as it snows in Srinagar. AP

While the snowfall was moderate in the plains of Kashmir, heavy snowfall at higher elevations disrupted flights.

An official of the airport authority of India said all incoming and outgoing flights at Srinagar airport were canceled Thursday.

Indian paramilitary troopers stand guard in front of a closed shops during a first snowfall in Srinagar. AFP

Weather forecasts called for moderate to heavy snowfall and rains in the region.

"The snowfall will continue till Friday morning," said weatherman Sonam Lotus.

Agencies

Agencies