Rain across J&K, fresh snowfall at higher reaches
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 17: Rain across J&K UT and the snowfall on the higher reaches has thrown normal life out of gear while Jammu-Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed due to landslides and snowfall whereas, opening of Mughal road has been delayed for couple of days due to bad weather.
Official sources said that due to rain and road widening work, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was blocked after landslides at Mehar, Cafeteria Morh and two more points between Ramban and Banihal last night. The highway was cleared at around 12.15 pm but hardly 15-20 stranded vehicles were cleared for Jammu, the road was again blocked due to fresh landslides at Mehar. It was followed by heavy rain and falling of boulders not only at these two points but also in Panthyal, Marog and Battery Chashma areas.
Over 800 Jammu bound trucks and oil tankers were stranded in Ramban town and ahead towards Ramsu besides about 500 vehicles loaded with essential commodities destined for Kashmir valley, were stranded in Chanderkote and Nashri areas.
IGP, Traffic (J&K) T Namgyal said that highway was blocked due to landslides at 2-3 places in Ramban sector and there was no hope of road clearance late this evening as it was raining in the area. He further said that Srinagar -Leh highway has also been closed due to fresh snowfall in Zojila area and large number of vehicles loaded with essentials have been stranded.
DySP Traffic Police, Ramban sector Ajay Anand said that highway was blocked around midnight due to shooting stone and landslides at Mehar and Cafeteria Morh. It was cleared around 12 noon today but it was again blocked within 15 minutes and could not be restored till late this evening. Since it was raining continuously, there was no hope of opening road this evening, he added.
A senior R&B official said that snow clearance work on Mughal Road has also been delayed due to fresh snowfall three days ago and today. He said earlier, April 18 was given the date of restoration of this road. Six machines have been pressed into service. 41 km area has been cleared but 3 km stretch near Pir Ki Gali is yet to be cleared. It is very tough zone with heavy snow and avalanches. It may take 3-4 more days to clear remaining 3 kms stretch, if the weather remained favourable, he added.
Reports from Srinagar said that Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway has also been closed for the vehicular traffic after the area received fresh snowfall at Zojilla pass today. A BRO official said that Zojila pass is experiencing a fresh spell of moderate snowfall for the last 2-3 days. The bad weather condition and continuous triggering of avalanches and landslides at some places have forced the closure of highway.
The BRO official further said that about 4-5 inches of fresh snowfall has been witnessed at Zojila, about 11,700 ft above the sea level. A number of avalanches have also hit the road at Zojila, making it more dangerous for road users. He added the BRO men and machinery are on the job to clear the road as early as possible, despite bad weather conditions. Some avalanches have already been cleared at Paghal Nalla and Diyal point, he added.
The movement of vehicles on Sonamarg-Kargil stretch has been suspended for the last three days due to fresh snowfall and if the weather remained favourable, the road is likely to be restored within next 24 hours. A large number of trucks and tankers loaded with essential supplies have been stranded in Sonamarg and Ganderbal areas.
Meanwhile, with the rain since early today, a sharp fall in temperature has been witnessed in Jammu region. During last couple of days, the Jammu had been experiencing rise in temperature. But the weather has now turned pleasant with rain in the winter capital city and other adjoining areas throughout the day. The MeT office has forecast rain and thunderstorm in many parts of J&K in next 24 hours. The rain has also hit harvesting and thrashing activity in plain area of Jammu, Samba and Kathua.
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