Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 15: As the Weatherman has forecast heavy snowfall in Pir Panjal area of South Kashmir, authorities here ordered closure of Jammu-Srinagar National highway on January 17 for the safety of the commuters.
The authorities have ordered for the closure of traffic on Srinagar-Jammu National highway on January 17. Meanwhile, 80 stranded passengers of Gurez were today airlifted by the authorities between Gurez and Bandipora in Mi-17 helicopter of Indian Air Force.
In a weather advisory issued today, Sonam Lotus, Director Meteorological Department, Jammu and Kashmir said that a western disturbance is developing over the State. Sonam Lotus said that the western disturbance would affect the weather systems of State and adjoining areas from the evening of January 16 till the morning of January 19.
“The western disturbance would impact the weather system on the four days with the main activity January 17 and 18. Due to this weather system, moderate to heavy snowfall over hills/ rains (in plains) will occur at most places of Jammu and Kashmir regions and at a few places over Ladakh region. Because of moisture incursion from Arabian Sea, some places of Pir Panjal range and plains of Jammu are likely to receive heavy snowfall/rainfall during these days,” said Sonam Lotus in the weather advisory.
Sonam Lotus said during the period the day temperature will fall by 4-5 degrees celsius and night temperature will rise by 1 to 2 degrees celsius. He said the weather system may disrupt the surface and air transport systems in the State. This statement is issued for the information and necessary action of user agencies and general public.
A spokesman of the Traffic Police Department said the 294 kilometers long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway shall remain closed for all types of traffic on January 17 and no traffic would be allowed either from Jammu or Srinagar shall be allowed.
“According to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, the weather forecast for January 17 predicts heavy snow fall in Pir Panjal range, particularly in Qazigund-Banihal sector. Keeping in view the safety and security of passengers, drivers the Traffic Department has decided to suspend traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on January 17. However, the decision can be reviewed in case of fair weather and road condition,” said the spokesman.
The spokesman said that subject to fair weather conditions and good condition of road all kinds of vehicles including private LMV’s, commercial LMV’s, LCV’s, medium passenger as well as commercial vehicles, buses, heavy commercial vehicles would be allowed to travel from Kashmir side towards Jammu in a regulated manner on Wednesday, January 16.
He said all the vehicles are required to cross TCP Pantha Chowk by 1200 hours, Khanabal by 1330 hours and TCP Qazigund by 1430 hours beyond which no vehicle shall be allowed to proceed towards Lower Munda / J.T for onward journey.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon has directed all the Deputy Commissioners, 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 roads, electric supply, water supply and healthcare services.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman said that 25 passengers were airlifted from Bandipora to Dawar and 17 from Bandipora to Baduab, while as 23 passengers were airlifted from Dawar to Bandipora and 15 from Baduab to Bandipora. The passengers were facilitated at the helipads by Addl. DC Bandipora, Tariq Ahmed and SDM Gurez, Mohammed Ashraf.
AN-32 Kargil Courier flight between Kargil and Srinagar/Jammu got cancelled, due to technical reasons at Chandigarh. Subject to favorable weather conditions, the Kargil Courier will operate on Wednesday 16th January.
At the same time, Kargil area in Ladakh division was the coldest place in the State with the maximum temperature of 0.4 degrees celsius and the minimum temperature of minus 14.6 degrees celsius. Leh also in Ladakh region was the second coldest place with the maximum and minimum temperatures of 0.5 degrees celsius and minus 11.6 degrees celsius respectively.
Srinagar, summer capital of the State recorded the day temperature of 12.1 degrees celsius and the night temperature of minus 0.4 degrees celsius. Jammu, the winter capital of the State witnessed the maximum temperature of 19.8 degrees celsius and the minimum temperature of 6.9 degrees celsius.
Famous ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir recorded the night temperature of minus 7.0 degrees celsius while as Pahalgam, famous health resort in South Kashmir recorded the day temperature of 11.2 degrees celsius and night temperature of minus 3.0 degrees celsius. Kupwara in North Kashmir recorded the day temperature of 12.1 degrees celsius and the night temperature of minus 0.3 degrees celsius.
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