Fresh landslides, triggered by heavy rain and snowfall in the upper reaches, stalled quake-relief operations in worst-affected Uri and Tangdhar regions of North Kashmir. Several roadlinks are snapped and choppers could not undertake sorties for the second day on Monday.
"Air relief operations have not been possible even on Monday. Air-dropping of relief material by army and Indian Air Force choppers could not take off in the wake of bad weather. It is not safe to carry out sorties in such conditions," a defence spokesman said in Srinagar.
Heavy rains and snowfall in the regions, which were devastated by the October 8 earthquake, forced the suspension of relief sorties by choppers on Sunday, adding to the woes of survivors as the mercury plunged by a few degrees.
Snow and rainfall have triggered fresh landslides at many places in both Uri and Tangdhar sectors, blocking the approach to many remote villages and hampering relief operations for the time being, he said.
Army men, state goverment and NGOs have been working relentlessly to clear the roads at the earliest so that ground relief can be provided to the affected people.
A massive landslide had cut off Tangdhar from Kashmir valley on Sunday but it was cleared within 45 minutes to allow relief material to flow into the border town, he said.
"Most of the relief is being stacked in Tangdhar town for the time being. As soon as the roads to inner villages are cleared, it will be despatched to the needy," he added.