Wednesday, February 23 2005 14:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Congress President Sonia Gandhi had to cut short her visit to Kashmir Valley today (Feb 23, 2005) as her chopper could not land due to inclement weather at Khanabal and flew to Poonch after conducting an aerial survey of the avalanche-hit areas of Anantnag district, official sources said in Srinagar.

Sonia was scheduled to address people who had gathered at Khanabal after the aerial survey of the affected areas but had to cut short the visit to Valley due to heavy fog cover, the sources said.

"The helicopter could not land at Khanabal due to inclement weather conditions. Sonia flew to towards Poonch after conducting an aerial survey of the avalanche hit areas in Qazigund and Verinag areas," the sources said.

They said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson would also conduct aerial survey of Poonch areas and later interact with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed at Jammu.

Gandhi arrived in Srinagar early today to take stock of the situation arising out of unprecedented heavy snowfall, which triggered massive landslides in south Kashmir claiming over 200 lives so far.

Earlier, the Congress president was briefed at Srinagar airport by Army commanders and officers of civil administration about the relief and rescue measures undertaken by them.

Sonia accompanied by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Chief of Army Staff General J J Singh. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, his deputy Mangat Ram Sharma and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad received Sonia at Srinagar airport.