More than two weeks after the snow tsunami struck the state, there is no news of the over 8,000 people living in Wadhwan in Doda district.
Wadhwan, which is on the border of Anantnag and Doda, comprises over 17 villages and has a population of 8,000-plus. During normal weather conditions too, it is a trek of over three days to Wadhwan from Doda town, with no road to the area. Even the police post is only set up in summers here, making chances of any news from these areas even more remote.
Though an aerial survey of the area has been conducted, only houses covered with a thick layer of snow were spotted, with no sign of life around.
The area had been covered in 13-14 feet of snow for over 10 days. Officials say they can only hope that the families are safe, but with the area being completely inaccessible, there is no way of knowing the damage to life and property.
Some news of the damage did trickle down from higher teaches of Marwah, where three people are still missing. Word has also come from Padder where 26 houses have been damaged. Meanwhile, in Asar, 78 houses have faced the fury.
In Doda district alone, over 530 houses have been damaged. Of these, 60 were completely destroyed and the remaining 470 were partially damaged.
Upper reaches of Bhaderwah like Cheera, Chiralla and Halaran have over 10,000 habitants. Houses here are also covered with heavy snow. Then there are other areas like Neel Valley, a 20-km trek from Banihal, Digdiol near Ramsu, which are also beyond the reach of the administration and even the forces.
Senior Army officers at Banihal say over 20 other villages around the area are still completely cut off.
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