Karnah: The Karnah-Kupwara highway has remained blocked for the seventh consecutive day due to heavy snowfall, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and causing severe hardships for residents during Ramadan. The region is also facing a major power crisis, with no electricity for the past week, and a shortage of essential commodities.
Authorities have started restoration work on the highway as weather conditions have improved, with 80% of the clearance completed. Officials expect to finish the remaining work by this evening, allowing vehicles to resume movement. However, clearing the seven feet of fresh snow at Sadhna Top has been challenging, causing further delays. Stranded passengers have urged the administration to arrange chopper services until the highway is reopened.
Meanwhile, heavy snowfall has also disrupted local transportation, blocking several internal roads in Jadah Jabri, Gabra, Haji Tarah, Charkunji, Amrohi, and Tad. Although authorities have managed to clear snow from multiple routes, restoring traffic in some areas, residents continue to struggle with limited access to supplies.
The prolonged power outage has worsened the situation, with inverters and solar systems failing. Many residents are now visiting the Sub-District Hospital. just to charge their mobile phones. Businesses that rely on the internet have also been severely affected, while students are struggling to continue their studies.
Karnah MLA Javaid Ahmad Mirchal said he is in constant touch with the administration and assured that both road clearance and electricity restoration are being prioritized. He explained that travel through Sadhna was restricted due to avalanche warnings, but as soon as weather conditions improve, the highway will be reopened, and power supply will be restored.
With Ramadan underway, locals are facing severe difficulties in securing basic necessities. They have appealed to the administration to take immediate action to restore normalcy. Authorities have assured that road clearance will be completed soon and efforts are being made to restore power at the earliest.
