Kulgam/Banihal (Jammu and Kashmir): The Jammu and Kashmir Police has evacuated as many as 700 civilians from Jawahar Tunnel and Sonmarg who were stranded due to inclement weather and snowfall, in the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, over 1000 people were provided with food and shelter in Banihal by the police and civil administration. In the aftermath of the snowfall, the police have deployed rescue teams across all affected areas of the state.
Out of the 700 rescued people, 300 were taken to Qazigund in Anantnag district, 300 to Banihal and 100 to Central Reserve Police Force establishments.
Moreover, 600 people were rescued from Banihal area and were accommodated at Nowgam and Gund area of Banihal. They were provided with food, shelter, and accommodation for the night with the support of the civil administration.
At Ganderbal, 26 people were rescued and shifted to safer places, after the tempo they were travelling in got stuck. The police are currently conducting a rescue operation for two truck drivers identified as, Shamsher Singh and Ajit Singh who are trapped at Zero Point India Gate near Drass.
On Saturday, heavy snowfall in the Valley led to the cancellation of several flights, severe traffic jams, and power cuts at many places.
Apart from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh has received heavy snowfall and rains in several districts.
Earlier today, the temperature of the Lahaul-Spiti region and Kalpa district were recorded below zero degrees, at -2.1 degree Celsius and -0.6 degree Celsius respectively.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]