2 killed, 1 injured in J&K as higher reaches receive heavy snowfall, rains lash plains

Srinagar, Feb 27: Two persons, including a minor boy, were killed and one was injured in separate incidents in Jammu and Kashmir as the higher reached witnessed heavy snowfall, while plains were lashed by rains for 3rd straight day on Thursday.
Officials revealed that two persons, including a boy, were killed in separate rain-related incidents as the higher reaches of Jammu also witnessed snowfall, and heavy rains lashed pain areas.
A driver was killed after a private Scorpio vehicle attached to CRPF 37 BN was hit by a shooting stone near Madana Zirat on the Poonch Highway in Surankote on Thursday.
Police officials said that the deceased has been identified as Wahid Iqbal, a resident of Upper Surankote. His body has been shifted to a nearby hospital for medico-legal formalities.
“Two CRPF personnel traveling in the vehicle escaped unhurt. We have registered a case and started an investigation,” they said.
Meanwhile a 14-year-old boy drowned while attempting to cross a swollen stream near his home at Sangore-Tuli in Reasi district.
In another incident in Samba, the dome of a Shiv temple was damaged after being struck by lightning in Vijaypur area of the district. One person suffered minor injuries in the incident after being hit by a fallen stone.
Officials said that a group of devotees had assembled for the “langar” service in connection with Mahashivratri when the lightning struck the temple at Goramorh in the Vijaypur area.
“A “Kalash” on the top of the temple was uprooted in the incident and one person was injured. He was referred to a nearby hospital,” they said.
A snow avalanche hit Khandyal village of Gurez valley on Thursday. This affected many residential houses in the region. According to the officials, two houses were damaged by the avalanche, but there was no immediate report of injuries or casualties.
The officials further stated that teams of revenue officials have been sent to assess the damages and have advised the residents to remain alert until the snowfall in the region continues.
Meanwhile avalanches hit Beighpura-Kamsui village in the Inderwal area and Pinjari near Dachhan in Kishtwar district but there was no report of any damage, the officials said, adding that the higher reaches of Kishtwar, Ramban and Doda districts experienced moderate snowfall.
Heavy landslides at Pahgaumarh Drabshalla have closed the Kishtwar-Doda National Highway, leaving many passengers stranded.
“Authorities have deployed men and machinery to clear the debris and restore traffic. Travelers are advised to check with Traffic Control Units for updates before starting their journey,” spokesman said.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that under the influence of Western disturbances, heavy snow spell occurred over higher reaches of Kashmir and incessant rain lashed plains for 3rd day in Kashmir and in Jammu.
“The current ongoing wet spell has brought the deficit from 80% to nearly 65%. There is a 63% deficit in Kashmir & 67% in Jammu divisions,” he said.
Dr Mukhtar said that few places experienced heavy snow particularly over higher reaches of north, central & south Kashmir & Pir Panjal range of Jammu Division.
He said that during the next 12 hours, plains of Kashmir division may receive moderate rain, snow while plains of Jammu may receive moderate rain with possibility of heavy Rain over Ramban, Udhampur & Reasi districts.
As per MeT official, Srinagar city received 14.4 mm of rainfall till 7PM on Thursday, ski-resort Gulmarg in Baramulla recorded fresh spell of 2 feet of snowfall, Tangmarg 11 inches, Pahalgam 5 inches, Sonamarg 2 feet, Qazigund 3-4 inches, Shopian 11 inches.
Sadhna Top 2 feet, Machil 1 ft, Kishtwar 2 inches, Baramulla 8 inches, Sopore 6 inches, Tral 2 inches, , Bafliaz Poonch 2 inches, Gurez 6 ft, Tulail 6 Inches, Karnah lower reaches 1 feet, Movera Pahalgam 2 inches. Peer ki Galli also witnessed heavy snowfall and recorded more than 2 feet and Minimarg, Zojila Pass, and Drass also received heavy snowfall till Thursday evening.
Winter Capital Jammu region also witnessed highest intensity rainfall during the past 24 hours.
In Jammu region, Banihal has received the most rainfall at 76.2 mm, Udhampur 12.4 mm, Poonch 15.0 mm, and Kishtwar 9.0 mm also recorded moderate rainfall. However, Jammu city recorded 16.11 mm rainfall, while places like RS Pura and Burmal also received light rains, the officials said.
Meanwhile, Traffic was suspended along 270 kilometres of Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Thursday after heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides and shooting stones in the Ramban district, officials said.
A traffic police spokesman said that vehicular movement stopped from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW due to mud slush at Mehad Ramban men and machinery on job.
“People are requested to avoid unnecessary travel and journey during night journeys on NH 44 in view of heavy rain, shooting stones at many places between Nasri and NAVYUG Tunnel,” he said
Following which National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have mobilised men and machines to clear the highway for one-way traffic.
In view of weather advisory emergency helpline numbers have been established by district police Ramban to facilitate the general public and to avoid any untoward incident.
“People are requested to contact following helpline numbers in case of any exigency related to present weather conditions or any distress especially in far flung areas of the district.
As per the advisory issued by Traffic Police Department said that there was slow movement observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of HMVs, incessant rains, shooting stones at many places, single lane traffic between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel and due to four lane construction work.
“In view of incessant rains and shooting stones at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel vehicular movement stopped from both sides on Jammu Srinagar Highway Commuters are advised to avoid journey on NH-44 till the weather improves and road is clear,” he said.
The spokesman said that a decision regarding the vehicular movement on Jammu Srinagar NHW shall be taken on Friday after assessment of road condition and getting green signal from road maintenance agencies.
Meanwhile, following the fresh snowfall along Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri Road and Mughal Road, no traffic will be allowed on these highways on Friday.
In Bandipora, a day after a portion of the road along the Jhelum River collapsed due to expanding cracks, fresh fissures have emerged in nearby buildings and shops, causing further panic among residents.
In Hajin town, new cracks appeared in homes and shops close to the affected stretch, raising serious concerns about the structural stability of these buildings.
Locals appealed to the administration to address the issue seriously and find concrete solutions.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Qadri stated that the administration is taking the issue seriously.
“Families living in the affected area will be relocated, and some buildings have already been identified for their rehabilitation. The Flood and Irrigation Department has been directed to initiate the necessary work,” he said.
Following the inclement weather, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority on Thursday issued a medium-danger level avalanche warning for nine districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
A JKDMA Spokesperson said an avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2500 meters over Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi in next 24 hours.
“In case of emergency dial 112-JK-UT-DMA. People living in these (specified) areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders,” he said.
The MeT department has predicted improvement in weather conditions from Friday late afternoon.