Heavy snowfall triggers power collapse, exposes neglect in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir
Muzaffarabad Januar, y 30
Heavy snowfall has severely disrupted normal life in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, exposing persistent shortcomings in power supply and infrastructure, with residents alleging that long-standing neglect, discrimination, and lack of accountability have intensified the crisis.
According to reports, heavy snowfall blocked key roads and cut off several villages across PoJK, leaving many areas isolated. Power supply collapsed in multiple regions as electricity poles and transmission wires were damaged and left unrepaired. Residents said prolonged outages have compounded hardships during harsh winter conditions.
Roshan Mughal, a senior journalist and former President of the Central Press Club in Muzaffarabad, said the electricity system was already fragile even before the snowfall, with low-voltage supply being a routine issue. He said the situation deteriorated sharply after the snowfall, leaving many areas completely without electricity. Mughal attributed the worsening crisis to unchecked power theft, unpaid electricity bills, and outdated infrastructure. He said people were living without basic facilities and described the situation as forcing residents to survive "as if in the Stone Age." He also alleged that there was no effective mechanism for restoring roads or electricity and said departments failed to respond swiftly due to the absence of checks and balances.
Residents further alleged that the recurring crises in PoJK reflect systemic neglect by the authorities, with people in the occupied region bearing a disproportionate burden during emergencies. Critics said selective action and the lack of accountability highlight deep-rooted discrimination in the region's governance.
Mughal said unresolved basic issues have repeatedly pushed people to form action committees and protest. He urged the government to take immediate steps, calling on bureaucrats based in Muzaffarabad to visit affected areas, assess blocked roads and power outages firsthand, and restore essential services without delay.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While the situation is tragic, the article's focus on "Pakistan-Occupied" seems politically charged. The real story is the human suffering due to infrastructure neglect. Can we please focus on the humanitarian crisis instead of the labels?
Power theft and unpaid bills leading to a collapse? Sounds like a complete governance failure. In our hilly regions like Himachal or Uttarakhand, authorities are much more proactive during snowfall. It shows where the priorities of that administration lie. Shameful.
The journalist Roshan Mughal is brave to speak out. Forming action committees is the only way left for citizens when the system abandons them. This systemic neglect is the real story, not just the snowfall. Hope help reaches them soon.
It's a stark reminder of how crucial resilient infrastructure is. We have our own challenges in Ladakh or Kashmir during winters, but at least there is a disaster response mechanism. The report mentions no checks and balances – that explains everything.
From an outside perspective, this reads like a failure at multiple levels: planning, maintenance, and emergency response. The "selective action" mentioned points to deeper political issues. The common people always pay the price.
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