*Vaishnodevi, Gulmarg, Patnitop experience heavy snowfall
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 3: Unprecedented rain, landslides and snowfall in Kashmir valley and most of the hilly areas of Jammu region, have paralyzed normal life of the people while Jammu-Srinagar, Batote-Doda-Kishtwar and many other roads have been closed due to blockades at several places whereas, fresh snowfall at Mata Vaishnodevi shrine in Trikuta hills of Katra, failed to dampen the spirit of pilgrims arriving from various parts of the country despite chilling cold and snow.
Trikuta hills of Mata Vaishnodevi shrine and the tracks have experienced nearly 6 inch to 1.5 ft snowfall, forcing Shrine Board authorities to close Hathi Matha-Bhairon Ghati track this morning. The track was slippery at many places but the pilgrimage was going on smoothly via Adh-Kunwari-Sanjichatt track. The chopper service to Shrine from Katra base camp remained suspended due to snowfall at the helipad near Shrine.
Reports said that continuous rain throughout the night and during the day today, resulted into landslides at several places, forcing closure of the roads. At Kheri just 3 kms ahead of Udhampur, and near Ramsu in Ramban area; landslides blocked Jammu-Srinagar National Highway early today. Nearly one foot snowfall at Patnitop and nearly two to three feet in Banihal and Jawahar Tunnel area of Pir Panjal, also forced the closer of National Highway last night.
All incoming and outgoing flights from Srinagar airport were today cancelled due to heavy snowfall.
Official sources said that not a single flight operated from the Srinagar airport due to continuous snowfall and poor visibility.
“Due to accumulation of snow on the runway following heavy snowfall and poor visibility, all incoming and outgoing flights were cancelled as precautionary measures,” they said, adding the decision whether flights will be allowed to operate tomorrow, will depend on the weather conditions. People, including tourists, who were scheduled to travel to Srinagar today, were disappointed following the cancellation of flights.
Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Muneer Khan told the Excelsior that the National Highway remained closed today due to heavy snowfall around Jawahar Tunnel and Patnitop area and landslides in Ramsu area.
“Around 3 feet snow had accumulated between Zig and Jawahar Tunnel and Jawahar Tunnel and Nowgam, 1.5 feet snow had accumulated in Banihal and Qazigund areas, 10 inches to one feet in Patnitop area and mud slides had blocked highway in Ramsu area”, Mr Khan said.
The IGP Traffic further said that the snow clearance operation will be started early in the morning tomorrow and the GREF men will try to restore one way traffic from Srinagar to Jammu. However, no traffic will be allowed from Jammu tomorrow as there is threat of avalanches in the afternoon between Banihal and Lower Munda.
He said that freak weather will continue till mid night and there are reports of heavy snowfall between Banihal and Lower Munda.
According to the Meteorological office, weather across the Valley is likely to improve from midnight. “From tonight, there will be a significant decrease in the rainfall and snow,” said Met Director Sonam Lotus. “Snowfall is reported from every part of the Valley and we are expecting a change in the weather from tonight”, he added.
There were reports of heavy snowfall from North Kashmir. Around 3 feet snow had accumulated at Sadhna Top, Furkiyan Top 3.5 feet, Macchil 2 feet and 3 feet at Z-gali.
Over 3 feet snow had accumulated in Gulmarg and it was snowing there till evening. In Srinagar it was snowing throughout the day leading to water logging in majority of the city areas. The traffic was plying at snail’s pace due to slippery roads.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Rohit Kansal this evening issued high danger avalanche warning for avalanche prone areas in Bandipora district and medium danger avalanche warning exists for avalanche prone areas in Baramulla, Kupwara, Kargil, Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Ganderbal districts.
Kansal directed the Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Kulgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Pulwama, Ganderbal and Kargil districts to issue weather advisory to the people advising them not to venture out of their homes during this period and keep cleaning the snow deposition from roof tops of their houses and bunkers to avoid damages. The concerned officers have been asked to inform people to temporarily evacuate the locations under fall line of avalanche and heavy snowfall.
“It is enjoined upon all Deputy Commissioners, all concerned Head of Departments and District Superintendents of Police to activate their manpower and machinery and to be in a state of preparedness, so as to minimize disruption of essential services, including road connectivity and health services”, the order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir reads. The Deputy Commissioners are also directed to take all precautionary measures, so as to avert any untoward incident.
Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal Sarmad Hafeez has advised the people living in upper reaches of Ganderbal district including Sonamarg, Sarbal, Nelgrath, Gagangeer, Razin, Naranag and adjoining areas not to venture into slopes of forest and hilly areas of Tehsil Kangan which are avalanche prone areas.
Dy Commissioner Doda Bhupinder Kumar said that in Bhaderwah town of Doda district, nearly one feet to 1.5 feet fresh snowfall has been experienced. Doda-Bhaderwah and Batote- Doda-Kishtwar road have also been closed due to landslides and snowfall at several places. He said that there was no report of any untoward incident or house collapse in the district. Mr Singh further disclosed that power supply to many areas including Bhaderwah has been affected.
Thathri-Gandoh road, Doda-Dessa, Kishtwar-Chhatro-Mughal Maidan road and all the link roads of Bhaderwah sub-division have been closed due to fresh snow fall. Ramban-Gool, Gulabgarh, Mohu Mangat and Rajgarh roads have also been closed. Power supply to Bhaderwah and many other areas of Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar has also been snapped.
In view of the closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Batote-Kishtwar road over 2000 vehicles mostly goods carriers have been stranded. At Udhampur Traffic Control Post the cops have stopped movement of vehicles towards Kashmir and Kud-Patnitop, Doda- Kishtwar and Bhaderwah. A large number of trucks have been stranded on Nagrota- Bypass road, Manwal- Dhar Road and Nud in Samba area. Even Chenani- Sudh Mahadev area and Ramnagar-Dudu Basantgarh, Reasi-Mahore-Gulabgarh areas remained cut off. Nearly, one feet snowfall has been reported at Dudu-Basantgarh, Lati and Landhar area of Udhampur district. Budhal and Dera Gali area of Thannamandi in Rajouri, Bafliaz, Loran, Saujian, Khet, Gagrian and Krishna Ghari area of Poonch have also experienced fresh snow fall. Loran town experienced nearly one and half feet snow this afternoon and it was continuing when the last reports came in.
At Jammu bus stand, a large number of Kashmir valley and Doda-Ramban, Kishtwar bound passengers have been stranded since last night. The authorities did not allow passenger buses towards Valley and Doda-Kishtwar. The vehicular traffic movement on Jammu- Rajouri and Poonch road however, remained smooth. A little disruption was witnessed at Bhimber Gali during morning hours due to fresh snowfall, however, GREF men cleared the snow shortly and ensured movement of traffic. Basohli- Bani and Billawar-Katlil- Lohai Malhar roads in Kathua have also been closed due to snow and landslides.
A Met office spokesman said that nearly 24.2 mm rain has been recorded in Jammu, 38.3 mm at Katra Mata Vaishnodevi and 34.3 mm in Bhaderwah area till 5.30 pm today. He said the maximum temperature in Jammu was 11.8 degree C and minimum 10.4 degree C today. Banihal has recorded 34 mm rainfall today. Kargil recorded minimum temperature of minus 13.5 degree C while Leh minus 5 degree Celsius. He said that weather would improve in the region by tomorrow.
Follow our WhatsApp channel