Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 11: As there was fresh snowfall in the hills of Kashmir today and rains across the State, the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) has issued avalanche warning in the hills of Kashmir and Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed for traffic due to landslides.
The hills of Kashmir received fresh snowfall today and the rains lashed the entire State leading to drop in the temperatures across the State.
The rains along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway triggered slides and shooting stones at few places including Panthal, Sher Bibi and Gangroo between Ramsu and Banihal.
The Inspector General of Police Traffic, Viplov Kumar told Excelsior that due to continuous sliding and shooting stones at Panthal, Sher Bibi and Gangroo, the highway was closed for traffic this evening for the night. He said no fresh traffic was allowed on the highway from 5 p.m. “Hence keeping in view safety of commuters on the National Highway, vehicles coming to Jammu are being stopped at Qazigund and vehicle going from Jammu to Srinagar are being stopped at Nagrota, Battle, Manwal, Jekhani, Sangoore, Udhampur and Chanderkote, Ramban”, he said.
The hills in Kashmir including Gulmarg, Z-Gali, Sonamarg, Zojila, Peer Ki Gali, upper reaches of Yousmarg and Line of Control in North Kashmir received fresh snowfall today.
Gulmarg recorded about three inches of snow and five inches of snow was recorded in the peripheral areas of the place including Kongdoori and Aferwath.
After the fresh snowfall, SASE today issued a medium danger avalanche warning for avalanche prone areas above 3,000 metres in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Kargil, Shopian, Anantnag, Kulgam, Rajouri, Doda and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
In view of the advisory issued by the SASE, the Divisional Administration in Kashmir has advised people in steep avalanche prone areas not to venture out for next 48 hours.
The Divisional Administration has said that inclement weather may also trigger landslide and blockage of roads in vulnerable areas. It has asked the Deputy Commissioners to monitor the situation and take immediate necessary precautionary measures in such areas to avoid any loss of life or property.
The administration has established control rooms at district headquarters for the convenience of the people to tackle any eventuality.
Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh regions were lashed by rains and this had led to increase in water level in streams.
The Weatherman has forecast widespread rains across Kashmir valley and Jammu region for next 48 hours and freak weather till Monday. The hills during this period can experience snowfall.
The snowfall and rains have led to sudden drop in temperatures that was this month several notches above normal and has now fallen several notches below normal across the State.
The temperature in Srinagar dropped several notches below normal and was recorded at 10. 8 degree Celsius, which is three degree below the normal temperature of 14 degree Celsius in the summer capital for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 9.9 degree Celsius, Pahalgam 6.2 degree Celsius, Kupwara 10.3 degree Celsius, Kupwara 10. 3 degree Celsius, Kulgam 9.6 degree Celsius, Gulmarg 2.2 degree Celsius, which is 4, 5, 4, 2, 2 notches below normal for Qazigund, Pahalgam, Kupwara, Kulgam and Gulmarg respectively.
Jammu recorded maximum of 24.6 degree Celsius, one degree below normal while Banihal, Batote, Katra and Bhaderwah recorded 9.2 degree Celsius, 9.9 degree Celsius, 21.7 degree Celsius and 10. 8 degree Celsius, respectively. These places of Banihal, Batote, Katra and Bhaderwah, recorded a drop of 7, 6, 1 and 5 notches from normal temperatures.
Meanwhile, District Administration Udhampur has ordered closure of all educational institutions in the district on March 12 and issued advisory for general public of the district that the weather is likely to deteriorate on March 12th and 13th.
Administration has advised the people not to venture in landslide prone areas and not to go near rivers/nallahs during this period to avoid any untoward incident. People have also been advised not to panic, take all necessary precautions and avoid unnecessary travelling during this period.
All the concerned departments related to disaster management have been asked to remain alert during the period and to activate their men and machinery and to ensure that there is no disruption of essential services, power supply, water supply, health care services etc.
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