Landslides trigger closure of NH, other roads
More rains, snow in next 24 hours
Nishikant Khajuria/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Mar 12: The higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir today had fresh snowfall while heavy rains lashed the plains leading to landslides at various places and consequent closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as well as some roads in interior areas across the Union Territory.
Click here to watch video
The Metrology Department has predicted light to moderate rains in plains and snow at upper reaches during the next 24 hours because of Western Disturbances and the weather will start to improve from Saturday onwards.
According to IGP Traffic, T Namgyal, the Srinagar-Jammu highway was completely closed for the vehicular movement today following fresh landslides at various places from Udhampur to Banihal and snowfall near Jawahar Tunnel.
“The landslides occurred at Gangroo, Hingni, Mom Passi, Panthyal, Battery Chashma, Khooni Nallah and Chanderkote in Ramban district where the shooting of stones was still taking place till last reports came in. However, the road near Keri in Udhampur district, where a massive landslide struck early this morning, was cleared by the afternoon,” said the IGP.
Even as men and machinery were on the job to remove debris for restoring traffic, shooting of stones was hindering the work and there was fresh snowfall near Jawahar Tunnel, which led to slippery road conditions.
The IGP Traffic informed that around 700 vehicles were stranded from Banihal to Nashri tunnel. Once the weather improves and the traffic is restored even partially, the stranded vehicles will be cleared on priority, he added.
The heavy rains triggered landslides at various other places also leading to closure of Kulwanta to Ladana road in Udhampur, Mahore to Gool and Mahore to Gulabgarh roads in Reasi district while over a dozen domestic animals got perished when animal shed of one Mohd Rashid collapsed at Gura Shankari area, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Kandi in Poonch district.
—Excelsior/Parvaiz Mir
Because of bad weather, Chopper service to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Battery Car service between Adhkuwari and Bhawan were suspended while the ropeway between Bhawan and Bhairon temple was also closed.
The higher reaches in Jammu and Kashmir including famous Ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir, Shopian in South Kashmir, Bhaderwah, Gandoh, Kahara, Chilly, Jakyas, Bunjwah Kither, Patnazi and Changa in Doda district had fresh snowfall leading to drop in the day temperature by several notches. Light snowfall was also witnessed in Kongdori, Apharwat and other areas in upper reaches across Kashmir.
The Valley was lashed by heavy rains leading to water logging of several roads due to faulty drainage system. The continuous rains led to drop in temperature by several degrees.
Authorities in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district also closed the roads leading towards Tangdhar, Keran and Machil as precautionary measure soon after the areas received fresh snowfall. An official said Sadhna Top and Keran received almost six inches of snow while Z Gali of Machil received four inches of snow since today morning. “As precautionary measure to avert any untoward happening, the vehicular movement has been suspended till the weather conditions improve,” the official said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
