Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 18: Unprecedented rains and prevailing weather conditions dipped mercury to huge 10 degree below the normal temperature breaking all records of last 30 years besides triggering landslides at Panthal leading to blockage of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as well as suspension of chopper service to Mata Vaishno Devi on Friday.
Meanwhile, one person was killed due to lightening in Arnas area of Reasi District in the wee hours today as moderate to rather heavy rains and thundershowers lashed the State, including Kashmir Valley.
The Department of Meteorology has predicted heavy to light rains at isolated places in Jammu with moderate thunderclap in plains of the region during the next 24 hours.
The entire Jammu region witnessed moderate to heavy rainfall during the last 24 hours resulting into unprecedented dip in maximum temperature, which broke the record of last 30 years.
Jammu today registered 23.5 degree Celsius maximum temperature, which was more than 10 degrees below the normal temperature on these days.
According to Dr B C Sharma, Head of Agrometrology Department in SKUAST-Jammu, Jammu never registered such a dip in the maximum temperature in the last 30 years. Earlier on April 18, 1983, the maximum temperature was registered 21.6 degree Celsius, he added.
The unprecedented rains have also broken all the previous records as 35.9 mm rainfall was registered this month till date while the normal rainfall in the month of April is earlier recorded at 28.8 mm, Dr B C Sharma further informed.
During the last 24 hours, Jammu registered 16.4 mm rainfall. Till 8.30 a.m, the rainfall was 12.2 mm while 4.2 mm more rainfall was registered till 5.30 p.m today.
The incessant rainfall led to landslides at Panthal in Ramban district and subsequent blockade of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway around 5 pm today. Even as men and machinery were immediately pressed for clearing the landslides, only light motor vehicles could be allowed after partial re-opening of the highway, informed the PCR Jammu.
Reports said that Doda road was also blocked due to landslide at Assar. A number of vehicles, including a marriage party from Jammu were held up on the road till last reports came in.
Due to overnight rainfall and cloudy weather conditions prevailing all around the Trikuta Hills, the chopper service to Mata Vaishno Devi from Katra town was suspended today.
However, the Yatra was smoothly progressing despite rains as no landslide or blockade of track has been reported so far.
According to an official spokesman, the chopper service will resume only after the weather conditions improve.
Reports from Reasi said that a youth died due to lightning at village Jiz Bugti in Arnas area of the district. The deceased, identified as Mohd Bashir (27), son of Noor Mohd, was sleeping in open when lightening struck him around 5.30 a m today resulting into his death on the spot.
In Kishtwar, 10 sheep got buried when cattleshed of Jodh Ram S/o Gousain Ram collapsed due to landslide at village Kuntwala Bandera this evening.
In Kashmir Valley also, moderate rainfall and thundershowers were witnessed at various places. As per Meteorology Department, 5 mm rainfall was registered in Kashmir till 5.30 p m today while maximum and minimum temperature on Friday, was 13.3 degree Celsius and 7.4 degree Celsius, respectively.
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