Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar
Kashmir valley received the season's heaviest snowfall on Friday, throwing life out of gear and severing its road and air links with rest of the country.
Authorities have also rushed police teams to rescue nearly 60 villagers from the avalanche prone Waltingoo Nar area of south Kashmir Kulgam district.
All photographs: Umar Ganie
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IN PICS: Heavy snowfall shuts down Kashmir
The snowfall which began late Thursday afternoon continued through most parts of the night and Friday leading to the valley being covered with a thick white blanket.
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IN PICS: Heavy snowfall shuts down Kashmir
Though the authorities were already on an alert, the valley was plunged into darkness as snow snapped power lines.
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IN PICS: Heavy snowfall shuts down Kashmir
Power has now been restored in parts of capital city and other towns yet major parts of the valley are still without power.
The power disruption has affected the supply of portable water and households were kitchen appliances are subservient to the power supply.
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IN PICS: Heavy snowfall shuts down Kashmir
Early on Friday morning authorities pressed into service snow clearing machines to clear the main thoroughfares of the snow which helped in restoration of traffic.
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IN PICS: Heavy snowfall shuts down Kashmir
The government has set up control rooms in the valley and in winter capital Jammu to deal with the situation following the heavy snowfall.
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IN PICS: Heavy snowfall shuts down Kashmir
According to an official statement, Kashmir valley has been divided in to three zones in which 91 heavy to medium size snow clearance machines have been pressed into service to clear the roads. The local MET office has predicted clear weather from Saturday.
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