- MeT predicts more rains till April 20th
- Avalanche warning in two dists in Valley
- Jammu, Srinagar witnesses heavy snowfall
- Water logging hits low lying areas in Srinagar, Jammu areas
Srinagar, April 15: Heavy rain in plains and light snowfall in upper reaches since Monday morning threw normal life out of gear across the Kashmir division while vehicular traffic along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, Mughal Road and Srinagar-Leh highways was suspended following landslides.
The meteorological department has forecasted prevailing weather conditions to continue till 20th April, officials said.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that as forecasted, rains heavy lash plains and moderate snowfall was recorded in higher reaches for 3rd day.
“The ongoing wet spell will continue and thereafter we are expecting improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Tuesday onward. The higher reaches including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Shopian experienced light snowfall, while rains continued in plains, “he said.
Dr Mukhtar said that from April 16-17, he said, partly to generally cloudy weather is expected with light rain in plains and snow over higher reaches in a few places.
“Similarly, from 18-20th April, partly cloudy weather with light rain or snow is expected at many places. Overall, on and off rainfall is expected in Jammu and Kashmir for next couple of days,” he said.
Dr Mukhtar advised farmers to suspend farm operations and said that there is likelihood of temporary disruption of surface transportation over a few higher reaches during April 20.
“Travellers & Tourists are advised to plan accordingly. Temporary water logging is also expected in few low-lying areas. There is also the possibility of landslides and mudslides besides shooting stones,” he added.
As per MeT data, Srinagar recorded a low of 8.0°C and maximum temperatures 11.5°C. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 7.8°C and 12.0°C as maximum temperatures. Pahalgam recorded a low of 5.7 °C and 10.6°C as maximum temperature.
Kokernag recorded a minimum of 8.6°C and 12.3°C as maximum temperatures, Gulmarg recorded a low of 2.4°C and 4.4 as maximum temperatures.
Meanwhile, Srinagar received 32.0 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours while Qazigund received 24 mm of rainfall, Pahalgam 42.4 mm of rainfall, Kupwara 24.6 mm of rainfall, Kokernag 16.7 mm of rainfall, Gulmarg 22.0 mm, Baramulla 21mm, Khudwani Kulgam , 25mm Bandipora = 23mm, Kupwara= 26mm, Budgam= 22mm, Ganderbal = 18mm, Jammu City 88mm and Reasi 70mm respectively.
The rains also caused havoc in Srinagar city and its outskirts with rain water entering residential and commercial premises in the low-lying areas. Meanwhile, heavy downpour put life out of gear in the majority of areas in Jammu city and its outskirts.
The rain water entered the houses at Talab Tillo, Nanak Nagar, Canal road, Talab Tillo, Rajinder Nagar, Kabir Colony and other areas of Jammu. The water level remained the same in all these areas till late evening.
The water level in at Akhnoor is below the danger mark till Monday evening, following incessant rain. The civil administration advised people not to venture close to the water bodies viz., Tawi or Chenab River as the continued heavy rain triggered flash floods and the water level increased.
An official Irrigation and Flood Control Jammu said that they have already issued a general advisory for the general masses not to come close to the Chenab River in view of heavy rain. Police and civil administration were on alert and continuously monitoring the situation
Udhampur district also witnessed heavy rain although there was no confirmed report of any kind of damage. However, the roads in remote areas were blocked due to landslides. Some of the blocked roads were restored for traffic.
He further said that the blocked roads were being cleared of the debris of the landslides.
Following inclement weather, the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) on Monday again issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches of two districts of Kashmir valley during the next 24 hours.
A spokesman said that an avalanche with a “medium danger” level is likely to occur above 2400 metres over the north Kashmir district of Kupwara and central Kashmir’s Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours.
“People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas till further orders,” he said, adding that the authorities have also asked the people living in these districts to dial 112 for help given any emergency.
Due to incessant overnight rainfall, many parts of Srinagar city witnessed water logging. Following the inclement weather, a massive dip was witnessed in temperatures in the valley. There was increase water level in river Jhelum other water bodies in the region
Meanwhile, Jammu-Srinagar on Monday was closed due shooting stones in the Kishtwari Pather area. Around 5 PM, continuous shooting stones at Kishtwari Pather led to a complete halt in traffic along the vital highway.
A traffic police spokesman said that efforts to mitigate the situation swiftly ensued as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) deployed personnel and machinery to clear the highway.
“Instances of light shooting stones from hillocks were also reported from other locations throughout the day. As of late evening, the highway remained impassable to vehicular traffic,” he said.
The spokesman said the abrupt interruption left scores of passengers stranded along the route. Despite the persistent rainfall, authorities mobilized resources to expedite debris clearance and restore operability to the road, he said.
As efforts continue to restore normalcy, commuters are advised to exercise caution and remain patient until the highway is deemed safe for travel once again.
A traffic police spokesman said Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) was blocked due to major landslides at Kishtwari Pather and shooting stones at many places, and heavy rainfall on the whole NHW. People are advised to avoid journeys on NH-44 till the weather improves and the road is clear.
Meanwhile, Mughal Road, connecting Kashmir Valley’s Shopian district with twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, has been closed “till further notice” following fresh snowfall.
They said that there was fresh snowfall at several places along the road including ‘Pir Ki Gali’, leading to the closure of the thoroughfare.
“In the view of fresh snowfall, continuous inclement weather and unfavourable weather conditions, there will be no traffic movement on Mughal Road from tomorrow onwards till further notice,” officials said.
Similarly traffic also remained suspended on the Mughal Road for the second consecutive day. “The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road for the third consecutive day due to fresh rain and snowfall.
