Heavy rainfall lashes plains
Avalanche warning for four dists
Sgr-JmuNH & Mughal Road closed, 1200 vehicles stranded
Water level rises in water bodies across valley
Srinagar, Apr 28: Fresh snowfall occurred in upper reaches of Kashmir valley while heavy rains drenched plains throwing the normal life out of gear in Kashmir for the second straight day on Sunday. The meteorological department has forecasted heavy rain, thunder, lightning and gusty winds during the next 24 hours in the region.
Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that rains lashed plains while light snowfall was recorded in higher reaches for the 2nd consecutive day on Sunday.
“On Monday, weather will remain mostly cloudy with light to moderate rain, snow (higher reaches) at most places with possibility of heavy rain/thunder/lightning and gusty winds at isolated places,” he said.
The ongoing wet spell will continue till 30th April. The higher reaches including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Shopian experienced light snowfall, while rains continued in plains in both the divisions,” he said.
“On 30th April, weather will remain generally cloudy with light rain with thunder at many places. Overall, on and off rainfall is expected in Jammu and Kashmir for next couple of days,” he said.
Heavy to moderate rain lashed plains in Kashmir and Jammu divisions while fresh snowfall was reported in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Peer Ki Gali along Mughal Road, 2-3 inches in Sadna Top, 2-5 inches in Machil Sector, 2 inches in Lolab. 5 inches at AchooraGurez,. Higher reaches in Bandipora and Kupwara recorded light snowfall till Sunday late evening.
As per MeT data, Srinagar recorded a low of 8.5°C and maximum temperatures 16.6°C. Qazigund recorded a minimum of 9.4°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 15.0 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours while Qazigund received 15.2 mm of rainfall, Pahalgam 32.4 mm of rainfall, Kupwara 11.6 mm of rainfall, Kokernag 8.4 mm of rainfall, Gulmarg 8.2 mm of rainfall.
Following inclement weather, the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches of four districts of Kashmir valley during the next 24 hours.
A spokesman said an avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 3000 metres over Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla and 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.
A senior official at Irrigation and Flood Control Department said there is a possibility that water level of Jhelum may increase at some place but there is no need to panic.
“In previous such cases, even no damage was recorded when water was flowing near Danger Mark. Vigilance is required,” he said.
Meanwhile, traffic movement on Jammu-Srinagar highway was suspended due to maintenance of road at Mehar in Ramban district, officials said.
A Traffic Police spokesman said that both side traffic stopped on Jammu-Srinagar NHW due to urgent repair at Mehar, Ramban. Commuters are advised to co-operate with Traffic Police.”
“The restoration work along the highway is under process and it will take more than 24 hours to restore the traffic on the highway,” he said, adding that earth movers, labourers are on the job.
Kashmir-bound trucks have been stopped at Qazigund junction, while stranded vehicles from Jammu have been stopped at Ramban, Udhampur, and other areas to avoid further congestion on the highway.
Another official said around 1200 vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway and once roads will be restored, stranded vehicles will be cleared on priority.
Mughal Road, connecting Kashmir Valley’s Shopian district with twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch, has been closed “till further notice” following fresh landslides and 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.
