Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU, Mar 9: Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for traffic due to land slides caused by incessant rains and snowfall in Jawahar Tunnel and Patnitop areas while hills of Kashmir valley including Zabarwan hills in Srinagar received snowfall and Valley was lashed by rains.
The incessant rains led to slides and shooting stones at Ramban and Ramsu areas and despite clearance by the Border Roads Organization the Highway remained closed for traffic today
The rains led to shooting stones at Panthyal, Ramsoo and Gangroo areas along the National Highway. The rains caused slding near Karol, Mehar, CRPF camp Chanderkot, Peerah, Sarga and Nashri areas that led to closure of the highway.
Around four inches of fresh snow accumulated in Jawahar Tunnel and its adjacent areas and the snow clearance work was started.
An official said that in view of weather advisory which predicts rainfall, no movement of traffic either from Jammu or Srinagar shall be allowed on Jammu-Srinagar for the safety and security of the passengers and drivers tomorrow.
Due to closure of the National Highway hundreds of trucks were stranded in Srinagar, Anantnag and Qazigund areas of Kashmir and Nagrota, Udhampur areas of Jammu.
A Meteorological Department official forecast light to moderate rain for Kashmir and snowfall for hills for next 24 hours.
An official said that light snowfall was recorded in the hills of Kashmir including Zabarwan hills in Srinagar.
Due to the fresh snowfall, Divisional Administration Kashmir today issued an avalanche warning for next 24-hours for hilly and avalanche prone areas of Kashmir valley and Kargil district.
“Medium danger avalanche warning valid for next 24-hours exists for avalanche prone slopes in Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kulgam, Budgam and Kargil districts of Kashmir division,” an official said.
The snowfall in the hills of Kashmir and rains in Valley and Jammu region led to drop in the temperatures across the State.
Srinagar recorded 9.6 degree Celsius while night temperature dropped to 1.8 degree Celsius, Qazigund recorded a maximum of 8.3 degree Celsius and minimum of 1.4 degree Celsius, Pahalgam a maximum of 6.8 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 0.2 degree Celsius, Kupwara a maximum of 8.4 degree Celsius and minimum of 0.2 degree Celsius, Kokernag a maximum of 9.4 degree Celsius and minimum of 1.0 degree Celsius, Gulmarg a maximum of minus 1.0 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 4.6 degree Celsius, Leh a maximum of 6.0 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 4.0 degree Celsius and Kargil a maximum of 0.3 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 4.2 degree Celsius.
Jammu recorded 19.1 degree Celsius, while night temperature dropped to 10.8 degree Celsius. Banihal recorded a maximum of 4.3 degree Celsius and minimum of 0.7 degree Celsius, Batote recorded a maximum of 4.2 degree Celsius and minimum of 0.7 degree Celsius, Katra recorded a maximum of 14.9 degree Celsius and minimum of 7.4 degree Celsius and Bhaderwah recorded a maximum of 4. 8 degree Celsius and minimum of 0.1 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, Jammu region continued to reel under cold weather conditions due to rains in plains and snowfall in mountainous belts of Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah.
A spokesman of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Jammu recorded rainfall of 1.7 millimeters (mm), Batote 11 mm, Banihal 6.6 mm and Bhaderwah 9 mm. Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch and Ramban also experienced rainfall of moderate intensity.
According to the reports, despite rainfall, both the tracks of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine remained operational for the pilgrims but helicopter service from Katra to Sanjhi-Chhat had to be suspended due to inclement weather.
In Doda and Kishtwar districts, fresh spell of snowfall was witnessed thereby plummeting the temperature considerably. Bhaderwah town also experienced mild snowfall since Wednesday night. However, the surroundings of Bhaderwah valley including Ashapati, Seoj Dhar, Kailash Kund, Shankhoja, Dugga, Kansar, Subar Dhar, Thuba, Dhamunda, Sharekhi, Bumlakhi, Mathola, Chinchora, Dhara, Hanga, and Jai Valley witnessed moderate snowfall.
Keeping in view inclement weather conditions, the educational institutions up to 12th standard were closed for two days in Doda and Kishtwar districts. The decision of closing the schools was taken to ensure safety of students.
Meanwhile, Kashmir bound passengers remained stranded at General Bus Stand at Jammu in view of closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for the second consecutive day today.
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