Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Mar 22: Rain continued in plains of Kashmir besides many parts of Jammu region while upper reaches received fresh snowfall today inundating several low lying areas in Valley while landslides in Ramban blocked Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
A senior Traffic Police officer said that amidst rain throughout the day today, shooting stones and land/mud- slides caused traffic disruption at several places in Ramban but at around 7 pm, the movement of traffic was stalled after landslides and falling of boulders on the road in Panthyal area. Hundreds of vehicles have been stranded on both sides of the highway.
“Since rain continued in Ramban-Banihal belt, it is very risky to initiate road clearance work during night hours and allow movement of traffic. For the safety of the operators and the passengers, the road has been closed. It will be restored in the morning hours tomorrow,” the officer said.
The Meteorological department has forecast more widespread rain in plains and snow in upper reaches of Kashmir till tomorrow and urged people to be alert and cautious against thunderstorms and lightning, urging them not to sit under trees or iron poles besides warning about avalanches and flash floods or mudslides.
“Widespread moderate rain and snow are most likely to continue till tomorrow. Heavy to very heavy rain, snow is most likely to lash scattered places of Jammu and Kashmir,” Director Meteorological department Sonam Lotus said.
He appealed the people to remain alert and cautious against “possible” thunderstorms and lightning. “Please don’t sit under trees and iron poles,” he said and also urged people to be wary of avalanches and flash floods or mudslides.
A Meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 7.4 degree Celsius same as on the previous night.
Several areas of Srinagar especially low lying areas where there is either no or faulty drainage system are inundated. However, SMC had pressed pumps at service to drain out the water.
Sadna Top received 2 feet of snowfall, Gulmarg few inches and Sonamarg six inches. The continuous freak weather has led to drop in temperatures across the region.
Qazigund recorded a low of 7.3 degree Celsius against 5.7 degree Celsius the previous night while mercury settled at 4.3 degree Celsius against 0.1 degree Celsius the previous night at Pahalgam.
Kokernag recorded a low of 5.7 degree Celsius against previous night’s 6.0 degree Celsius.
The minimum temperature settled at 4.8 degree Celsius in Kupwara against 5.3 degree Celsius on the previous night.
Gulmarg recorded minimum temperature of minus 0.5 degree Celsius against 2.0 degree Celsius the previous night.
Meanwhile, the traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway was suspended in the evening after landslides triggered by the incessant rainfall. An official said that the traffic from Jammu towards Srinagar was allowed to ply till 7 pm, after the landslides triggered by the incessant rains led to the closure of the highway at Panthyal and Mehar area.
He said at Mehar, Cefeteria Morh, Battery Chashma, Maroog and Panthyal in Ramban sector, the movement of traffic on the highway was disrupted several times during the day. However, the NH authorities cleared the road and restored traffic. But after fresh landslides and falling of boulders on the road at Panthyal, the authorities closed the road. No restoration work could be taken up due to darkness and frequent falling of stones and blouders, the official said.
With the closure of the highway, a large number of trucks, other load carriers, oil tankers and light motor vehicles have been stranded in Chanderkote, Cafateria, Mehar and Seri areas of Ramban. The highway is expected to be restored by tomorrow morning, the official added.
Meanwhile, winter capital Jammu witnessed rain during the day and last night. The bad weather also affected the operation of chopper service at Katra Mata Vaishnodevi. However, the on- foot yatra continued smoothly.
With the rain for the last two days, a significant fall in the temperature has been recorded in Jammu. A MeT spokesman said that winter capital recorded a night temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah town 7.5 degree C, Banihal 8.6 degree C, Batote 8.4 degrees while holy township of Katra a minimum temperature of 14.6 degrees Celsius today. Leh town recorded night temperature of -1.5 degree C while Kargil 1.6 degree C. The weather in Jammu areas will imrove from March 24, the spokesman added.
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