Srinagar, Feb 04: Heavy to moderate snowfall, rains throw life out of gear in Kashmir on Sunday, while the meteorological department has forecasted improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Monday onward.
Following heavy snowfall and poor visibility all to-and fro flights were cancelled at Srinagar International airport.
Director Srinagar Airport, Javed Anjum said that all flights of all airlines have been cancelled at the airport in view of bad weather. He said all passengers will be adjusted in the forthcoming flights in the next available flight.
Director said that all the passengers of cancelled flights shall be rescheduled in the next available flights of concerned airlines. There will be no extra charges for rescheduling. The passengers may also opt for a full refund at their convenience,” he added.
The plains of Kashmir also witnessed moderate snowfall while heavy snowfall has been reported in the higher reaches of the valley.
Following the fresh landslides at various places along the 270-kilometre Jammu-Srinagar highway, the traffic was suspended by authorities leaving scores of vehicles stranded along the highway.
He said landslides, shooting stones, and mudslides have blocked the highway at several places. Men and machinery are on the job to restore the highway as soon as possible.
A Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police Spokesman told Rising Kashmir that after remaining closed for several hours, traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway was restored partially on Sunday evening.
“Jammu-Srinagar NHW partially restored at Kishtwari Pather, Banihal (single way). Stranded vehicles are being cleared in a regulated manner,” he said.
The spokesman said following inclement weather along the NH-44. People are advised to avoid journey on the highway till the weather improves and the road is clear. Please ask TCU before starting the journey, he said.
In the latest weather advisory, the Meteorological Department said moderate to heavy rains, snowfall occurred at most places of J&K with higher reaches reporting 1-2 feet of snow and thunderstorms in the Jammu region.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that during the past 24 hours, light snowfall was experienced in plains and heavy snowfall in middle and higher reaches of Kashmir division.
He said light to moderate rain with thunder over plains of Jammu Division and Light to moderate snow over middle and higher reaches.
“On Monday, weather will remain generally cloudy at few places with light to moderate snow likely to continue over many places till late afternoon and gradual improvement thereafter,” Dr Mukhtar said.
He said from Tuesday, weather will remain cloudy with possibility of light Snow over isolated higher reaches and there will be improvement in weather conditions from 6th-13th February in the region.
As per MeT advisory, there will be significant snow accumulation and continuous snow during the last few days, Travellers are advised to plan accordingly & follow administration/traffic Police advisory.
At many places in south Kashmir, the depth of snow was recorded over 2-3 feet, which hampered pedestrian movement. The administration has set up several control rooms to help people across the Valley and asked them to remain on high alert.
As per MeT official, Srinagar city received 9 inches of snowfall, ski-resort Gulmarg in Baramulla recorded fresh spell of 1 feet of snowfall, Tangmarg 11 inches, Pahalgam 1.5 feet, Sonamarg 12-13 inches, Qazigund, 11 inches, Shopian 11 inches.
Sadhna Top, 3 feet, Machil 1 ft, Kishtwar 2 inches, Baramulla 8 inches, Sopore 6 inches, Tral 2 inches, Bijbehara 2 – 3 inches, Bufliaz Poonch 2 inches, Gurez ft, Karnah lower reaches 2 inches, Anantnag Town 4 inches, Movera Pahalgam 2 inches, Ganderbal 5 inches, Budgam 1 inch, Pattan 5 – 6 inches,
Peer ki Galli also witnessed heavy snowfall and recorded more than 2 feet till Sunday evening. Marwah in Kishtwar received 2.7 feet, Warwan 3 feet. Sinton Top, Minimarg, Zojila Pass, and Drass also received heavy snowfall.
As the night sky remained cloudy, minimum temperatures improved throughout J&K and Ladakh.
People from many districts also complained about the failure of the administration for failing to clear the snow from main and link roads.
The heavy snowfall paralyzed normal life in upper reaches of Kashmir with the majority of the areas remaining cut off from the district headquarters.
The temperatures improved across Kashmir, Srinagar, recorded a low of minus 1.7 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir recorded a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 8.3 degrees Celsius and Kokernag and Qazigund towns in south Kashmir both recorded a low of minus 5.4 degrees Celsius.
J&K Disaster Management Authority on Sunday issued medium danger level avalanche warning in eight districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
A JKDMA Spokesperson said, “Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2400 metres above sea level over Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts in next 24 hours.”
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders”, he said.
