5 flights to Srinagar cancelled
Gopal Sharma/ Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Dec 13: With fresh landslides in Digdol area of Ramban and at another nearby point last night, the Jammu- Srinagar National Highway remained closed for third consecutive day and five Army personnel who went missing in Gurez area of Kashmir were still untraced while three villagers, who were missing in snow bound Chhatergalla area near Sarthal in remote Bani Sub Division of district Kathua, were traced this evening.
Mughal Road, providing alternate land link to Kashmir with rest of the country via Rajouri also continued to be blocked on the third day. While Batote-Kishtwar road was restored this afternoon, many link roads in Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar and Reasi, including Mahore-Gool-Ramban section are also lying closed. Atholi and Gulabgarh area of Paddar is also cut off due to heavy snow and power supply has been disrupted in the whole sub division for the last two days.
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bani (Kathua), Ajit Singh told the Excelsior that three villagers who were returning to Bani from Bhaderwah on foot went missing on the higher reaches of Chattergalla in Sarthal area two days ago. There was no link with them and their family members were worried. The search operation with the help of Army, GREF and Police men was launched today morning and they could be traced this evening. A chopper was also used for search operation but no success could be achieved.
The SDM disclosed that the link with them could be established from Sarthal area this afternoon and they were being brought to Bani. They had been trapped in a Dhok on the higher reaches where at least 3-4 feet snow was reported. They have been identified as Ganesh Kumar, son of Kamaloo, resident of Lowang village; Kuldip Kumar, son of Paras Ram from Draman Roulka and Ramalu Ram, son of Tej Ram, resident of Barmota in Bani tehsil. They were brought to Bani Hospital for Medical treatment.
Mr Singh further said that Bani road which remained blocked for two days has been restored and the power supply to some areas was also restored this evening.
The search operation to trace out the five army soldiers who went missing in Nowgam and Gurez sectors of North Kashmir continued for second day today. Army called High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) rescue team for tracing the missing soldiers in Gurez. The soldiers went missing yesterday after an avalanche struck Nani Post of Army’s 36 RR in Baktoor area of Kanzalwan in Gurez sector during previous night amid snowfall.
In another incident, a landslide struck Patila Post of Army’s 20 Dogra Regiment in Nowgam sector of Handwara in Kupwara district. The landslide at Nowgam sector left two soldiers missing.
The rescue operations at both places was launched but there was no success. The Army, according to reports, today called HAWS team from Sonamarg to Gurez for tracing out the soldiers. However, there are least chances of soldiers being alive as more than 40 hours have passed since the tragedy struck them.
IG Traffic, Jagjit Kumar told the Excelsior that Jammu-Srinagar National Highway could not be cleared at Marog in Ramban area. He said last night another land slide struck near Digdol, causign another big blockade on this busy highway. He disclosed that some stranded light vehicles near Marog were cleared after making one way but the highway was still blocked. The snow in Jawahar Tunnel area was also cleared but no movement of vehicles from Qazigund (Kashmir) side or from Nagrota ( Jammu) and Udhampur side towards Kashmir.
Kumar further disclosed that no fresh movement of vehicles from Kashmir or Jammu side will be allowed tomorrow. After the clearance of the highway , all the stranded passenger and then other vehicles will be cleared. The road condition will be reviewed in the morning after taking feedback from the field Traffic officers in Ramban-Banihal section of the Highway, the IG maintained.
He disclosed that land slide at Fagumarh between Thathri and Kishtwar was cleared this afternoon. The Doda-Kishtwar road was restored. The Mughal Road was also still blocked and there is no chance of reopening of it in next 2-3 days.
Reports from Reasi said that Katra Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board authorities closed new track after land slides near Panchhi Marg at Saket point this evening. No one was injured in the incident. With the landslides, the tin-shelter was also damaged. The yatra was then diverted to the old track. With the improvement in the weather, the Chopper service to Sanji Chhat from Katra base camp remained operational today.
Meanwhile, with the improvement in weather condition and sun shine during the day in Jammu, the day temperature also showed some improvement. From December 15 onwards, the Met officials have predicted fair weather in Jammu region. Tomorrow also, there will be cloudy sky and light rain may occur at some isolated places. At Bus Stand, Jammu a large number of Kashmir bound passengers have been stranded. More than 50 light motor vehicles from Kashmir region are also struck at Nagrota and BC Road Jammu.
Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 18.1 degree Celsius and minimum 8.8 degree C; Katra township maximum 15.4 degree C and minimum 8.2 degree C; tourist spot Bhaderwah maximum 2.5 degree C and minimum 0.4 degree c while Banihal town maximum 5.0 degree C and minimum 0.6 degree C temperature.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh based Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) has issued medium danger avalanche warning for next 24 hours in some avalanche prone districts of J&K and Himachal Pradesh. A SASE Advisory said that medium danger avalanche warning exists for avalanche prone area of Kupwara, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kishtwar and Kargil in J&K.
Medium danger avalanche warning for the same period has been issued avalanche prone areas of Lahaul and Spiti besides Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh. The people have been advised not to venture in avalanche prone slopes or areas during the warning period.
Kashmir Valley received snowfall for the second consecutive day today. The Bandipora-Gurez road remained closed after heavy snowfall. The air- traffic at Srinagar Airport was also suspended due to poor visibility this morning and five morning flights were cancelled while afternoon flights later operated after improvement in weather.
There was light snowfall in Srinagar today morning but later in the afternoon weather showed slight improvement. The higher reaches of Valley received moderate snowfall. Overall there is improvement in weather and is expected to remain dry from tomorrow in major parts of the Kashmir.
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