Srinagar: Snowfall in higher reaches, including Gulmarg skiing resort, and rains in plains lashed Kashmir on Monday as precipitation is likely to continue in the valley over the next 48 hours, officials said.
Gulmarg skiing resort in Baramulla district, which is scheduled to host the fourth Khelo India Winter Games from Wednesday, has received around 1.5 feet of fresh snowfall over the past 24 hours, the officials said.
Snowfall was also reported from Kupwara, Handwara and Sonamarg areas of the valley.
The rest of the valley, including Srinagar city, has been lashed by moderate to heavy rains since Sunday.
Srinagar has received 12.4 mm rainfall over the past 24 hours while Qazigund received 12.8 mm rains.
Pahalgam (18.6 mm), Kupwara (42.7 mm) and Kokernag (8.0 mm) also received substantial rains over the same period.
The Jammu region has also been lashed by rains, which has forced the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway due to mudslides at two places in Ramban district.
Avalanche warning issued for 10 districts
Authorities on Monday issued a fresh avalanche warning for ten districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Avalanches with low danger level are likely to occur above 2500 metres over Anantnag and Kulgam districts in the next 24 hours. Also avalanches with medium danger level are likely to occur above 2000 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts in next 24 hours,” J&K Disaster Management Authority in a fresh advisory said.
“Avalanches with high danger level are likely to occur above 2200 metres over Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in next 24 hours,” advisory added.
People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas.
Landslides, shooting of stones force closure of Jmu-Sgr national highway
The traffic on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained suspended on Monday after landslides and shooting of stones from hillocks at over half-a-dozen places in Ramban district rendered it unfit and unsafe for vehicular traffic, officials said.
Two interstate highways were also closed as a precautionary measure in view of fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of Bhaderwah in Doda district, the officials said.
A Traffic department official said the traffic on Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended around 9.30 am following landslides triggered by heavy rains in Dalwas, Mehar-Cafeteria, Chamalwas, Shalgadi and Gangroo.
Shooting stones from the hillocks were also reported from Panthiyal, Jaiswal bridge, Marog and a few other places during the day, the official said, adding, the highway was still closed for vehicular traffic when last reports were received.
Hundreds of passengers were left stranded due to the sudden closure of the arterial road.
Despite incessant rains, authorities mobilised men and machines to clear the road of the debris to make it navigable, they said.
Authorities have advised people to avoid journeys on the highway till the road is cleared and weather improves.
Bhaderwah Superintendent of Police Vinod Sharma said the vehicular movement on Bhaderwah-Pathankot and Bhaderwah-Chamba-Himachal interstate highways was also suspended due to heavy snow accumulation at Padri-Galli, Guldanda, and Chattergalla pass in Bhaderwah.
While intermittent to moderate rains lashed the plains, including the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, most of the upper reaches across Jammu and Kashmir got a fresh snowfall.
Following a heavy snowfall, particularly on the 30 km-stretch from Thanala to Khundi Maral on Bhaderwah-Chamba road, and 25 km-stretch from Thantera to Chattar Galla pass on Bhadarwah-Pathankot National Highway, Doda district administration suspended all kind of traffic on both roads.
“It is snowing heavily and the hilly roads have become very slippery with apprehension of avalanches,” Sharma said.
He appealed to all the tour operators and hoteliers not to guide any tourists to venture on these roads.
A couple of tourist vehicles got stuck in a snow storm in the Guldanda area and the travellers were rescued after hectic efforts by Border Roads Organisation and Police late Sunday night.
Officer In-charge, Meteorological department, Jammu, S C Sharma has predicted wet weather till February 25 – except February 23 – with widespread rain in the plains and snowfall in high altitude areas in the next 24 hours. (With inputs from PTI)
Photo: Javed Khan
