Nazakit Sayam
Karnah 03 – March / The Karnah-Chowkibal road has been closed for the sixth consecutive day, leaving the region completely isolated from the rest of the Valley. With six feet of snowfall reported at Sadhna Top, residents are enduring severe hardships, including prolonged power outages and an acute shortage of essential supplies such as fresh green vegetables.
Exacerbating the crisis is the fact that it is the month of Ramadan. During this period, the lack of food & vegetables is even more critical, as locals are not only facing a shortage of fresh produce but also struggling to obtain other basic necessities.
Despite repeated appeals from the residents, the administration has yet to provide any tangible relief. A Level 4 avalanche warning has been cited as the reason for delaying snow clearance operations. However, many question why no proactive measures were taken before the snowfall to ensure road connectivity and restore electricity.
Commenting on the crisis, the SDM of Karnah explained, “Due to the high-risk avalanche warning, work at Sadhna Top has not commenced. Moreover, the fresh snowfall has further complicated road-clearing operations. We are at the mercy of nature and are monitoring the situation closely.”
Local residents, however, are placing the blame on the regional MLA and the administration for their ineffective response. “Every year, we face the same crisis, yet no long-term solutions are ever planned. Why were alternative arrangements not made in advance?” one resident lamented.
The prolonged isolation of Karnah has fueled growing frustration, with many urging authorities to act urgently to restore road connectivity, reinstate electricity, and supply essential goods.
