KARNAH, MAR 03 – The Karnah-Chowkibal road has remained closed for the sixth consecutive day, leaving the region completely cut off from the rest of the Valley. With six feet of snowfall at Sadhna Top, residents are facing severe hardships, including a lack of electricity and an acute shortage of essential supplies like green vegetables.
Despite repeated pleas from locals, the administration has failed to provide any concrete relief. The Level 4 avalanche warning has been cited as a reason for delaying snow clearance operations. However, many residents question why no proactive measures were taken before the snowfall to ensure road connectivity and electricity restoration.
Speaking on the crisis, SDM Karnah stated, “Due to the high-risk avalanche warning, work at Sadhna Top has not started. Additionally, fresh snowfall has made road-clearing operations even more difficult. Nature plays a role in such challenges, and we are monitoring the situation closely.”
However, locals are blaming MLA Karnah and the administration for their failure to respond effectively. “Every year, we face the same crisis, but no long-term solution is ever planned. Why were alternative arrangements not made in advance?” questioned a resident.
The prolonged isolation of Karnah has led to mounting frustration, with many urging authorities to take urgent action to restore road connectivity, electricity, and essential supplies.
When contacted, MLA Shri Javaid Mirchal responded,”How can we compete with nature? When the snowfall stops and the avalanche warning is lifted, we will begin clearing the road and restoring electricity. We cannot compromise the lives of Beacon and PDD employees in such dangerous conditions.”
