Chopper service to Vaishnodevi suspended
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, July 14: While heavy rain during morning hours in Jammu and its adjoining brought some relief in the hot and humid weather conditions in the area, the chopper and battery car services remained suspended at Katra Mata Vaishnodevi due to bad weather conditions today.
Despite light rain in Ramban and Udhampur areas, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained operational but Ramnagar-Basantgarh road remained closed due to massive landslide near Gandh Top for the last about 14 days. The R&B authorities failed to clear the road despite request from the Sub Divisional authorities and locals of Basantgarh area of district Udhampur.
During morning hours today, heavy downpour amidst dark thick clouds, created flood like situation in the Jammu city lanes and drains. The flooded water entered many houses and shops in the low lying areas of City while water logging in several crossings near Jewel, Canal Road, Talab Tilloo and Bohri disrupted the smooth movement of traffic. However, the rain provided some relief to the general public from the hot and humid conditions bringing down the temperature.
The rain brought flash flood in several Nallahs on the outskirts of Jammu and also disrupted movement of traffic for some time. River Tawi, however, remained under flood because there was light rain in the upper reaches of Jammu, Udhampur and Chenani.
A MeT spokesman said that Jammu recorded about 80 mm rainfall today since 8.30 am, Katra township about 16.8 mm while Batote had 15.5 mm rainfall today. Ramban, Reasi, Doda and Kathua areas experienced light rain. However, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Batote -Kishtwar road remained clear despite light rain in these sectors. The MeT has predicted light to heavy rain at many places across the region during next 24 hours.
Reports from Rajouri said that several link roads have been blocked due to rain in the area. Kotedharna-Panihad road in Thannmandi area has been blocked due to landslides for the last eight days. The R&B authorities at Rajouri have failed to clear the road and provide some relief to about 3000 people affected with the closure of this road. BDC member concerned Javed Iqbal has sought intervention of Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri into the matter.
Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed Kashmir today leading to flooding in certain areas and bringing mercury down to below normal.
The low visibility by the dark clouds was followed by heavy showers at many places in the Valley. The heavy showers caused water logging in many roads. In certain areas, there were also flash floods. However, no damage was reported.
The weatherman has forecast more intermittent light to moderate rain and thunderstorm in J&K for next 24 hours.
“Intermittent light to moderate rain can occur at many places of Kashmir and few places of Jammu as the day progresses,” said a Meteorological Department official.
He said that 9.0 mm of rainfall was recorded in Srinagar, 3.6 mm in Qazigund, 1.5 mm in Pahalgam, 7.6 mm in Kupwara, 1.8 mm in Kokernag and 4.6 mm in Gulmarg.
Srinagar recorded a low of 17.3 degree Celsius against 18.8 degree Celsius the previous night. The temperature of the place was 0.8 degree Celsius below normal during this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded a low of 16.5 degree Celsius against 17.2 degree Celsius the previous night. The temperature was normal for the town.
In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at 11.7 degree Celsius against 12.8 degree Celsius the previous night and it was 0.3 degree Celsius below normal at the tourist place.
Kokernag recorded a low of 15.3 degree Celsius against 16.6 degree Celsius last night and it was 0.6 degree Celsius below normal for the place.
Gulmarg resort recorded a low of 10.6 degree Celsius against 11.5 degree Celsius and it was 1.2 degree Celsius below normal for the place.
Kupwara town saw a low of 15.1 degree Celsius against 16.1 degree Celsius previous night and it was 1.5 degree Celsius below normal.
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