An official of the TDK told UNI that due to closure of the national highway, the only road connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, and cancellation of all incoming and outgoing flights due to snow for the past three days, it has been decided to provide free accommodation to tourists stranded here.

'We will provide accommodation to tourists who need it, he said adding there are reports that some tourists are not in a position to pay rent. We have some accommodation in Srinagar where the tourists would be accommodated', he said.

He said, 'We have received calls from eight tourists from Uttar Pradesh (UP) who wanted to avail the service since they are facing financial problem after their flight on Monday has been cancelled due snowfall.

We just want to help our guests on the direction of our Director, he said adding tourists who are in distress can contact Tourism Department Kashmir office for any help'.

After about two years, this winter witnessed heavy rush of tourists from different parts of the country. Hundreds of tourists were arriving here from across the country before the closure of highway and suspension of air traffic due to snowfall.

However, tourists complained that air fare from Srinagar to other parts of the country has witnessed many fold increase during the past three days.