Avalanche strikes at Zojila

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 20 : The hailstorm wreaked havoc in several areas of Kashmir while several commuters had a narrow escape on Srinagar-Leh National Highway at Zojila today when an avalanche struck the road.

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There was hailstorm at many places of Shopian district including Sugoo, Tharina, Molu, Dangerpora and others while the crops have also suffered huge damage in these areas as well. In Dodhpathri area of Budgam, several centimetres of hail accumulated on the ground covering the tourist resort in white blanket.
Director Meteorological Department (MeT) Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said the weather is expected to remain generally dry from tomorrow till April 25, but added that the possibility of afternoon thundershower activity at isolated places can’t be ruled out.
“The weather would remain generally cloudy while light rain with thunder is expected at many places from April 26-27,” he said.
The MeT Department in its advisory had asked the farmers to resume farm operations after April 21st.
In the meantime, an avalanche struck Srinagar-Leh National Highway at Zojila today disrupting the movement of the traffic and several commuters including tourists had a narrow escape. The avalanche was later cleared by the Border Roads Organisation.
The temperatures dropped in Kashmir with continued wet weather for last few days. Srinagar recorded a minimum of 7.0°C against 9.2°C the previous night and it was 0.9°C below normal for the city for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of 7.0°C against 8.6°C the previous night and it was 0.4°C above normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of 1.6°C against 4.8°C the previous night and it was 1.8°C below normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 5.8°C against 7.8°C the previous night and it was 0.7°C below normal.
Kupwara town recorded a low of 6.0°C against 7.5°C the previous night and it was 0.9°C below normal there.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.5°C against 1.6°C the previous night and it was below normal by 1.7°C for the skiing resort.