Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 7: With the rain, thunder-storm and snowfall on the higher reaches of Kashmir and parts of Jammu region, there has been sudden fall in Jammu’s temperature which reached today nearly 8 degrees below normal while the Mughal Road has been closed due to heavy snowfall in Pir Panjal area.
The cold wave today took entire Jammu, Samba and Kathua belt into its grip, forcing people to clad themselves in the woolens. Even the school going children were seen clad fully in the full woolen and winter uniform in the morning. While in Jammu city, the people were using fans during the day hardly 2-3 days back, but today with the steep fall in the temperature, they were out in warmers.
During heavy rain and thunder-storm, a woman and her 9-year-old son were killed during lightning in Kalakote area of Rajouri district while a boy was seriously injured in yet another similar incident at Mogla. The woman namely Shallo Devi (35), wife of Pappu and their son Sunny, residents of Dali village near Kalakote died on the spot at around 9.35 am today.
Another young boy Sunny, son of Tilak Raj was seriously injured as a strong beam of light from the sky hit him at around 7 am today. He has been referred to GMC hospital Jammu from Sunderbani.
Chief Scientist from Met Department of SKUAST Jammu, Dr B C Sharma told the Excelsior that the rain and thunder-storm in Kashmir and parts of Jammu region continued since yesterday due to western disturbances. He said with this a steep fall in the temperature has been observed.
He pointed out that normal day temperature during these days of November in Jammu is around 28 degree Celsius while 20 degree Celsius temperature was recorded by Jammu’s observatory here this evening. This is 8 degree below normal temperature during the day in Jammu areas.
Replying to a question, the SKUAST Scientist said that the cold conditions will continue for a couple of days and the people should take extra precaution. He said this is clear indication of the onset of winter season and moreover, people must wear woolen clothes and take care of children especially the elderly persons. Higher reaches have also experienced heavy snow and the fall in temperature is obvious.
Mr Sharma said the SKUAST has also issued advisory for the farmers especially from the border belt of R S Pura, Bishnah, Samba and Kathua areas to take extra care of their paddy crop. They should not allow water logging in their fields and must flush out water if the pondage is created with the rain water. It may spoil their crop.
The advisory has also been issued for the other farmers who have been preparing for wheat crop and sown mustard in the fields. He said the maximum temperature in Jammu was 20 degree Celsius while minimum 14.2 degree C whereas, in Srinagar it was recorded as 11.5 degree C and minimum 6.7 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman from Met office Srinagar said that thunder-shower and rains would continue in Kashmir and Jammu regions for next 24 hours. The snowfall will also be experienced on the higher reaches.
Reports from Poonch said that due to heavy snow fall on the Pir Panjal, Pir-ki-Gali and Heerpur area the Mughal Road connecting Kashmir valley with Jammu via Poonch and Rajouri has been closed. About 15 vehicles had been stranded on the road due to snowfall but most of them have been cleared with the help of Police, Army and the R&B authorities.
Executive Engineer Mughal Road Division of R&B told the Excelsior that about 4 to 8 inch snowfall has been experienced in Pir- ki- Gali area of Pir Panjal range. He said the road would be cleared by tomorrow if the weather condition improves. The snow fall has also been observed in Jawahar Tunnel area of Banihal-Qazigund.
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