Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 14: While traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended for over 12 hours after landslides in Ramban area today, many areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir and Jammu regions received fresh snowfall while the plains were lashed by rains last night.
Official sources said that due to heavy rain in Ramban sector last night, the landslides/ mudslides blocked Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at around 2 am today at Mehar and Dalwas. The restoration work was launched during morning hours after the rain stopped.
The traffic was restored at around 2 pm and the stranded vehicles were cleared, followed by movement of heavy vehicles. Traffic jamming was witnessed for several hours in Banihal, Ramban and Chenari-Nashri area.
Reports said the higher reaches of Kashmir, including the tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, besides Sinthon Top, Chhatergalla, Pir Ki Gali and other higher reaches of Jammu region received fresh snowfall during last night.
An official said Gurez and other areas in the higher reaches of Bandipora, Ganderbal and Anantnag districts also received fresh snowfall. The upper areas of Srinagar along the Zabarwan Range received light snowfall, they added.
The Srinagar city and other plain areas of the Valley, besides Jammu and several other areas in the region were lashed by intermittent rains throughout the night, the officials said.
The Meteorological department has forecast mainly dry weather till March 20.
From March 22-24, fresh spell of rain/snow is likely at many places in Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) today issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches of eight districts of J&K during the next 24 hours. An avalanche with “medium danger” level is likely to occur above 2400 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts in Jammu division in the next 24 hours.
A similar warning has also been issued for the people living above 2400 metres in Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Baramulla districts of Kashmir valley during the next 24 hours. The people living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders.
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