MeT predicts dry weather from Feb 6-13
Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Feb 5: While the traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was disrupted for today several hours during the day today due to landslide in Dalwas area, the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) have closed the highway for urgent repair work for 24 hours from 8 am tomorrow (Tuesday).
An official spokesman from Ramban said that as per an order issued by the Additional District Magistrate, Ramban, the Jammu- Srinagar National Highway shall remain closed from 8 am on February 6 to 8 am on Feb 7, 2024, in view of urgent road widening and maintenance work at Dalwas, near Chanderkote (Ramban) and Kishtwari Pathar, near Sherbibi in Banihal sector.
However, the movement of all type of vehicles on Jammu-Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road shall remain unaffected. And the traffic between Kashmir valley and Banihal shall also ply normally, the spokesman added. Click here to watch video
Meanwhile, Traffic Police authorities stopped movement of traffic towards Kashmir from Nagrota near Jammu after 8 pm and at 9 pm from Qazigund (Kmr) to Jammu on Monday. From Udhampur, the movement was stopped at 9 pm towards Kashmir.
Project Director, National Highway Authorities, Ramban-Udhampur Sector, P K Phonsa when contacted told the `Excelsior’ that highway at Kishtwari Pathar near Sherbibi has suffered extensive damage due to recent rains and landslide. A narrow and single passage has been created for the temporary restoration of traffic there. At Dalwas near Chanderkote, the mud slide has created problem for the movement of vehicles. It has created traffic jamming at these points.
“For restoration of normal traffic, sufficient time is required and therefore, we approached District Magistrate Ramban for providing at least 24 hours for carrying on urgent repair work at these two sites. The highway shall remain closed from 8 am on Tuesday till 8 am on Wednesday,” the Project Director added.
An avalanche struck the ski-resort, Gulmarg today where around two dozen skiers were skiing.
An official said that a prompt response by the rescue teams ensured the successful evacuation of skiers, who got trapped in an avalanche.
He said that two groups of skiers comprising 20 both locals and foreigners were caught in an avalanche in Gulmarg hills.
The official said that four skiers got stuck in the avalanche and were successfully rescued.
The timely activation of ABS bags played a crucial role in ensuring a swift and successful rescue operation. The operation concluded within a few minutes, officials said, adding that no injury or a loss of life was reported in the incident.
He added that the skiers, who were stuck, were mostly from Srinagar besides a few were foreigners as well.
They were fortunate to have a professional team accompanying them including Daniel Steevwart, who contributed significantly to the successful rescue operation.
Meanwhile, a day after snowfall in Kashmir, the minimum temperature dropped below freezing point across the Valley while the maximum temperature increased several notches but stayed below normal.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.4°C against minus 0.7°C the previous night, Qazigund recorded a minimum of minus 1.4°C against minus 2.2°C the previous night. The minimum temperature was 0.1°C above normal for the town.
Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 11.9°C against minus 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 5.7°C above normal for the resort.
Kokernag recorded a minimum of minus 3.3°C against minus 3.0°C the previous night and the temperature was below normal by 1.3°C for the place. Kupwara recorded a low of minus 0.9°C against minus 1.9°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C above normal there.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 10.0°C against minus 7.0°C on the previous night and the temperature was above normal by 3.3°C for the skiing resort.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 7.0 degree Celsius today, Qazigund 8.2 degree, Pahalgam 5.7, Kupwara a maximum of 8.3 degree, Kokernag 6.3 degree while Gulmarg recorded a maximum of minus 2.2 degree Celsius which is 3.6 degree Celsius below normal for the place during this time of the year.
A Meteorological Department official said that weather is expected to be dry from February 6-13.
Meanwhile, with the improvement in weather condition, Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 18.9 degrees C, nearly 2 degrees below normal and a minimum temperature of 5.2; Katra town recorded a maximum temperature of 17.2 and minimum 4.3; Bhaderwah tourist resort a day temperature of 8.2 degrees and night temperature of minus 1.8 deg C while Banihal maximum temperature of 9.0 deg and minimum -3.2 degrees Celsius on Monday. The MeT office has predicted dry/fair weather in Jammu up to February 9.
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