Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Mar 23: The heavy rainfall in most parts of Jammu and Kashmir continued for second consecutive day bringing mercury further down while some parts of the higher reaches in Valley continued to receive snowfall today.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed on the second day today due to fresh landslides at several places between Nashri and Banihal. A large number of vehicles have been stranded in Udhampur, Nagrota, Chenani, Chanderkote and in parts of Kashmir.
SSP National Highway, J S Johar said that due to heavy rain during last night, over a dozen landslides occured in Ramban sector. He said in Cafeteria Morh and Mehar belt, the road has been cleared. In other places like Maroog and Panthyal, the restoration work was in progress. Dalwas area slide has also become a problem for the agencies. But highway is expected to be cleared by tomorrow.
Johar cautioned the people not to start journey from Jammu or Srinagar side, without taking confirmation about road clearance from the Traffic Control Units at both the places or Ramban.
Meanwhuile, the Weatherman has forecast significant improvement in weather conditions from tomorrow afternoon and said that the overall improvement in the weather conditions would be from March 25.
“Although as per the forecast, the rains would continue intermittently in the night, but there is possibility of significant improvement in the prevalent weather conditions from Wednesday afternoon,” Director MeT, Sonum Lotus said here.
He said that the overall weather conditions would improve from Thursday, adding that from March 25 (Thursday)-March 28, they are expecting dry weather across Kashmir.
Lotus said that as per the forecast, there is possibility of light rainfall on March 29, but overall the whole week would remain mainly dry. He said that the temperature would also go up in the coming days.
The normal life was affected for the second today due to heavy rainfall with inundation of the roads affecting the smooth passage to the commuters.
Several areas, especially the low lying, were water-logged due to the heavy and incessant rains for last two days. However, the water level in rivers is below the flood level and the authorities said that as of now there is no threat of floods. The administration is on alert to deal with any eventuality.
Reports said a 20-year-old youth was killed after he was hit by a shooting stone triggered by heavy rains when he was on his way to the forest in the Karnah sector in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
The deceased has been identified as Amir Chaneza, son of Mohammad Shafi resident of Chaneza. He was hit by a shooting stone when he was on his way to the forest in Karnah sector. He was hit in the head with the stone that led to his on spot death.
Meanwhile, reports from Reasi said that due to windstorm the tin roof of a Govt School at Morhamal in Tuli Bana area of Chassana, was uprooted. Extensive damage has been caused to the school building and about a dozen other tin houses in the area.
In Galuta area of Mendhar in district Poonch, three houses were partially damaged due to rain and windstorm. One person was injured in this incident. He has been identified as Mohd Taj, son of Abdullah. He was shifted to SDH Mendhar. Another house of one Khadam Hussain at Saruti village in Mendhar was also damaged. A tin house of one Sultan Qamar at Dehri Rolyte (Gulota) village in Rajouri was also damaged in wind storm.