Snowy woes: IAF in action to ferry stranded people between Jammu-Kargil

Jammu [India], Jan. 11 (ANI): On the request of the Jammu and Kashmir Government, the Indian Air Force is operating special courier between Jammu and Kargil to facilitate the people stranded due to closure of passes following heavy snowfall. One AN- 32 Ex Chandigarh carried 31 passengers from Kargil to Jammu and 46 passengers from Jammu to Kargil in the first half of the day. Today's sortie will bring succour to locals who were stranded due to road closure following heavy snowfall over the passes enroute. Almost every year during peak winters the special courier is operated on request of the state govt. Meanwhile, Kargil and Leh towns of Ladakh region are experiencing maximum drop in night temperatures due to heavy snowfall in various parts since the last few days. The region is already reeling under the harshest 40-day cold period, Chillai Kalan, that begins on 21st December every year. On the 22nd day of Chillai Kalan in Kashmir region, the residents are experiencing intense cold with night temperature in Srinagar and elsewhere in Valley plummeting below freezing point. The state administration is all engaged in keeping Srinagar- Jammu National highway open in challenging weather conditions. Meanwhile, the passenger traffic will ply on both sides of the highway today. The trucks carrying fuel and essential commodities will be allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar. (ANI)