Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Feb 4: Fresh snowfall and rains lashed Kashmir and many parts of Jammu region this evening with weatherman forecasting more snowfall and rain tomorrow and Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was today opened for Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs).
IGP Traffic, SA Watali told the Excelsior that no movement of heavy vehicles was allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today while light motor vehicles were allowed to ply on either side after the highway was cleared ahead of Anokhifall in Ramsoo area of Ramban this afternoon. He said though highway was clear even up to 11 pm tonight, the traffic towards Srinagar will be cleared tomorrow only if the road remained clear. Watali said it was continuously raining in the area since last evening and weather is not expected to be clear even by tomorrow.
Meteorological Department forecast snowfall in Kashmir tomorrow that may affect air and road traffic. “There is possibility of moderate to heavy rains or snow at most of the places across the State. There is possibility of heavy rainfall or snowfall at isolated places as well. The weather is likely to improve from February 6,” MeT official said.
Divisional Administration Kashmir today issued a fresh medium danger avalanche warning for next 24-hours for hilly and avalanche prone areas of Kashmir and Kargil.
“Medium danger avalanche warning valid for next 24-hours from February 4 to February 5, 2017 (1700 hrs) exists for avalanche prone slopes in Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Budgam, Anantnag and Kargil districts of Kashmir Division” Divisional Commissioner said.
The Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division including Kargil have been asked to take precautionary measures in their respective districts and advise people not to venture in avalanche prone areas during the aforementioned period and to keep clearing snow depositions from roof tops of their houses and bunkers to avoid damages.
DC Kupwara issued medium danger avalanche warning for Keran, Karnah, Machil Tanghdar, Budnamal, Jumgund Nowgam, Kumkadi, higher reaches of Kralpora and other sloppy areas of the district.
Meanwhile, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for any fresh traffic today. However, the stranded vehicles and light motor vehicles, excluding Tempo Travellers on the either side were allowed to ply on the highway.
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) was clearing slides and shooting stones from the highway at several places between Banihal and Ramban areas including Digdol and Mehar where large boulders and land slides had blocked the road.
A traffic police official said that keeping in view the road condition between Ramban and Zig near Qazigund, only LMVs will be allowed to ply on the highway tomorrow from both Jammu and Srinagar.
“Keeping in view the peculiar condition of the road especially between Ramban-Ramsoo-Banihal- Jawahar Tunnel and Zig-Jawahar Tunnel coupled with narrow width of road at Mehar and Digdol, the movement of HMVs would not be feasible on NHW tomorrow. As such no movement of HMVs including convoys of Army, BSF, CRPF etc. either from Jammu or Srinagar shall be allowed tomorrow”, he said.
“However, in order to facilitate the passengers and strictly subject to fair weather and good condition of the road, movement of LMVs and light passenger vehicles (excluding Tempo Traveller and buses) shall be allowed both ways. Under this plan movement of all such vehicles shall be allowed from Nagrota, Jammu towards Srinagar/ Doda region from 0700 hours up to 1100 hours and at Udhampur up to 1330 hours only.
Similarly, movement of LMVs/ passenger vehicles (except buses/Tempo Travelers) from Srinagar towards Jammu side shall be allowed from Levdora, Qazigund from 0800 hours and all these vehicles shall cross Jawahar Tunnel by 1400 hours positively. Strict implementation of cut off timings shall be ensured for hassle free movement of traffic on NHW”, he added.
Meanwhile, the rain across the Jammu region and snowfall at the higher reaches has hit the normal life while the Traffic Police authorities did not allow fresh movement of vehicles on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today.
The Udhampur- Batote-Doda -Kishtwar road was clear by late this evening, while higher reaches of Bhaderwah , Doda, Ramban and Poonch experienced snowfall this evening. A large number of trucks and other load carriers have been stranded at Nagrota Bypass and Udhampur Dhar road.
The heavy rain in Jammu city and other parts of the region including Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar since last evening, hit the smooth movement of the vehicles and also resulted into the sharp decline in the temperature. The continuous rain has restricted the movement of the people and the vehicles on roads.
The temperature in Jammu city and other surrounding areas has experience sharp fall in the temperature. An incident of lightening and thunderstorm has also been reported from Rajouri where a minor boy was killed this afternoon.
A, MeT spokesman said that Jammu experienced maximum temperature of 21.3 degree C and minimum 10.8 deg C, Katra town maximum 17.9 and minimum 11.2 degree C, Banihal maximum 12.1 deg C and minimum 2.5 deg C, Bhaderwah maximum 15.8 degree C and minimum 3.0 degree Celsius while Batote maximum 12.9 and minimum 6.7 degree C temperature.
The weatherman has predicted rain and thunderstorm at various places of Jammu region during next 24 hours.
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