Searches continued by the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the military after six individuals, principally labourers, went lacking amid the heavy snowfall after they left on foot on Tuesday from Anantnag district to their properties in Kishtwar district. The administration is attempting to take the service of a helicopter however the unhealthy climate is hampering the operation within the mountainous terrain.

Kashmir witnessed heavy snowfall from Tuesday night time which continued for all the day on Wednesday.

Aamir Ali, director, Disaster Management, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, stated the boys had left Warwan in Anantnag to journey by way of Margan Top, a tough mountainous space.

“They had made their last call to their families from Margan Top on Tuesday but they haven’t reached their homes till now,” he stated.

He stated that the search operation has been launched by the military with the administrations of each the districts from Wednesday.

“The searches have began once more on Thursday morning. Owing to the chilly, we concern the worst,” he said.

Deputy commissioner, Kishtwar, Ashok Kumar Sharma said they have no update so far about the missing men. “They have talked to their families on Tuesday night and after that there is no contact,” he said.

He said the search operation is tough in the area as the snow depth is 12 feet.

Kishtwar police on Thursday evening said that the men are yet to be found. An official of police control room Kishtwar said that the searches were hampered by bad weather.

“We had requested for helicopter service, however the climate didn’t enable utilizing heli companies,” he said.

Meanwhile weather improved in the rest of the Kashmir valley prompting the authorities to start the flights at the Srinagar airport in the afternoon after visibility improved.

“As many as 38 flights operated till the evening on Thursday, while eight flights were canceled ,” said director, airport, Kuldeep Singh.

He said the passengers of these canceled flights will be accommodated in the next available flight of the airline concerned. “There will be no charges for rescheduling. The passenger can also exercise the option of a full refund,” he stated.

On Wednesday, 41 flights have been canceled owing to snowfall and visibility points on the Srinagar Airport.

The meteorological (MeT) middle in J&Ok on Thursday stated that snow and rain decreased considerably since final night time.

“The climate is overcast in Kashmir, cloudy in Jammu and partly to usually cloudy in Ladakh. We count on gradual enchancment in visibility because the day progresses,” stated director MeT, Sonam Lotus

He, nevertheless, stated that folks ought to count on gentle to average rain/snow at scattered locations of J&Ok on Thursday and Friday and primarily dry thereafter until ending February.

Widespread snowfall in Kashmir and rains in Jammu on Wednesday, prompted large-scale disruptions, together with blocking the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, suspending flights at Srinagar Airport, halting practice companies between Banihal and Baramulla and forcing the authorities to cancel examinations at Kashmir University and SKIMS Medical University.