Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 16: Snowfall in the mountains and heavy rains lashed Kashmir valley today. The rains and the snow brought down the mercury across the region, forcing people to pull out woollens and heaters to keep themselves warm.
The snowfall and the rains led to suspension of traffic on Srinagar-Leh National Highway that was re-opened for traffic early this month after remaining closed for traffic since December last year.
Late last night it started snowing in the mountains and it was followed by heavy rains across Kashmir valley.
Reports of snowfall were received from Sonmarg, Zojla pass, Gulmarg, Razdan Pass, Z-Gali and Sadna Top and adjoining areas in the periphery of famous hill resort of Pahalgam in South Kashmir.
Pahalgam recorded around 50 mm rain and snow since last night, Gulmarg recorded 40 mm of rains and snow. Srinagar recorded 40 mm rains while Qazigund 35 mm rains and Kupwara 33 mm.
Continuous downpour led to drop in the temperatures across the Valley, prompting the residents to wear woolens and use heaters and Kangris to keep themselves warm.
An official spokesman said that the heavy rains led to increase in the water level of rivers, lakes, ponds and streams but there was no immediate flood threat in the Valley.
The drop in the temperatures caused concern among the farming community, especially orchardists, who fear the change in the weather might affect their crops particularly almond and cherry.
The rains have also resulted in water-logging in many parts of the city resulting in traffic jams. Many localities remained out of bounds for pedestrians. People accused Srinagar Municipality of being negligent over the issue as no immediate relief was provided to drain out the accumulated water.
The water logging was mainly due to faulty drainage system and choking of drains. Roads in the Residency Road area and Regal Chowk, the main business hub, were water-logged due to rains. Water-logging on roads was also witnessed in Sarai Bala, Hazuri Bagh, Magarmal Bagh, Gogjibagh, Jawahar Nagar, Mehjoor Nagar, Bemina, Chanpora, Peer Bagh, Hyderpora, Shalteng, Rawalpora and others areas of the city.
In the meantime a spokesperson of the SMC said that in addition to 72 permanent dewatering pumps, 38 more dewatering mobile pumping units at various locations of the city including Hamdania Colony, Bemina, Chanapora, Peerbagh, Lal Nagar, Aali Masjid, Bakshi Stadium, Kothibagh, Samandar Bagh, S.P Colege, Palpora, Shalteng, Goripora, Rawalpora, Mehjoor Nagar were pressed into service to drain out rain water.
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