Srinagar, May 31: Heavy rains and gusty winds disrupted life across Kashmir valley on Wednesday. The weathermen have predicted intermittent rain, thunderstorm and possibility of hailstorm at multiple places in the region.
Director, Meteorological Department Centre, Srinagar Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that both plains and higher reaches in Kashmir received rains. Thunderstorms accompanied by strong gusty winds were also reported at isolated places in the valley, he said.
“From June 1 to June 2, there is a possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain, thunder and lightning at many places. The forecast of hailstorm & gusty winds cannot be ruled out at isolated places,” he said.
Lotus advised farmers to suspend all farm operations till 2nd June. He said inclement weather may lead to temporary disruption of traffic over vulnerable places. All concerned are advised to remain cautious, he said.
The plains including Srinagar received light to moderate spells of rain on Wednesday. As per MeT officials, summer capital Srinagar recorded 5.7 mm of rainfall from Tuesday evening till 5:30 pm on Wednesday, Gulmarg 12.4 mm, Qazigund 13.6 mm, Kupwara 7.4 mm, and Pahalgam 11.6 mm.
Following the cloudy weather, various parts of Kashmir on Wednesday witnessed a significant drop in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded 15.3 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 11.6 °C as the minimum temperature.
Pahalgam settled at 13.4°C degrees and 7.8 °C as minimum temperatures. Ski-resort Gulmarg recorded 9.6 °C as the maximum temperature and minus 5.0°C as minimum temperature.
Winter Capital Jammu recorded 23.5 degrees Celsius as the maximum temperature and 18.0 °C as the minimum temperature. Batote recorded 14.5 C as the maximum and 11.7 C as the minimum temperature.
The traffic on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway was suspended on Wednesday again as heavy rains triggered landslides along various places.
SSP National Highway Mohita Shamra said that a massive landslide at Dalwas blocked the traffic on the highway. “Mudslides and shooting stones were reported from various stretches along the highway and due to which traffic was suspended from both sides of highway,” she said.
Later in the evening, traffic was restored from both sides of the highway. A traffic police department spokesman said passenger traffic has been released from both ends after clearance of debris at Dalwas on NH-44, he said.
A traffic police department spokesman said during the past 24 hours, Jammu Srinagar highway remained closed for several hours due to closure landslides, shooting stones at various places along the highway.
On Thursday, subject to fair weather and road clearance, Passenger and Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.
“TCU Jammu, Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” it said.
Similarly, on the Srinagar-Leh highway, LMVs shall be allowed from both sides and HMVs shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Kargil on SSG road.
“LMVs will be released from Sonamarg towards Kargil at 0600 hrs. to 0830 hrs. followed by HMVs upto 1030 hrs. and LMVs will be released from Kargil towards Srinagar at 1400 hrs upto 1700 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed between 1700 hrs. and 0600 hrs. It will be followed by HMV’s,” he said.
Traffic on Mughal Road has been suspended after a heavy landslide has blocked the highwain Poonch area. “The landslide occurred near the Ratta Chamb bridge, and stones, and trees from the hill slope fell on the road leading to its blockade,” he said.
The official said that clearance work has been started but road restoration will take some time. The Mughal road is still blocked, he said, adding that no vehicle will be allowed to move on the highway on Thursday.
