Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 20: Kashmir is reeling under cold wave conditions and the authorities are gearing up for the weekend snowfall that Western Disturbance is bringing to Kashmir.
The Divisional Administration has geared up men and machinery across Kashmir to clear snow from the roads and ensure power supply is restored in case of heavy snowfall.
In the meantime, after clearing Kashmir-bound vehicles stranded overnight on the National Highway, the authorities allowed vehicles from Srinagar to Jammu this afternoon.
Jammu-bound vehicles stranded at various places on this side of the Jawahar tunnel, including at Qazigund, were allowed to ply on the highway this afternoon.
Large number of Kashmir-bound vehicles, including those carrying passengers, which were stranded on the highway since yesterday, were cleared since this morning.
Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic, Kashmir, Fayaz Ahmad Lone told Excelsior that traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway will be allowed from Jammu to Srinagar.
“Keeping in view the condition of the road especially between Udhampur – Ramsoo and Banihal to Levdora (Qazigund) coupled with narrow width of road at certain places, only one way movement of traffic is feasible/advisable on Srinagar- Jammu NHW. As such tomorrow on 21.01.2017, movement of traffic shall be allowed from Jammu towards Srinagar side subject to clearance of all the down traffic”, the SSP said.
“Under this plan, heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) including convoys of Army, BSF, CRPF (excluding trailers/ multi-axle vehicles) shall be allowed from Nagrota, Jammu from 0700 hours up to 1100 hours and at Udhampur up to 1300 hours only. Similarly, movement of all types of LMVs/passenger vehicles and oil tankers shall be allowed from Nagrota, Jammu from 0600 hours up to 1300 hours and at Udhampur up to 1430 hours only”, he said
“No movement of vehicles including that of convoys of Army, BSF, CRPF etc. shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu side on 21.01.2017 under any circumstances. Strict implementation of the recommendations of the cut off timing shall be ensured for hassle free movement of traffic on National Highway. Strong nakas shall be established at appropriate places for implementation of the directions in letter and spirit. Close co-ordination needs to be made with District Police for better results on ground”, Lone said.
In the meantime, Kashmir is reeling under cold wave conditions. The night’s lowest temperature was minus 0.9 degree Celsius in Srinagar while it was minus 13.8 degree Celsius in Pahalgam and 11.8 degree Celsius in Gulmarg respectively. Qazigund recorded a low of minus 2.8 degree Celsius, Kupwara 4.7 degree Celsius and Kokernag 3.3 degree Celsius. Leh recorded a minus 16.8 degree Celsius and Kargil a minus 15.0 degree Celsius as the minimum temperature.
Jammu recorded 4.5 degree Celsius, Katra 6.5 degree Celsius, Banihal minus 1.5 degree Celsius, Bhaderwah 0.5 degree Celsius and Batote minus 4.6 degree Celsius as the minimum temperatures.
Srinagar recorded a maximum of 3.9 degree Celsius, Qazigund 5.5 degree Celsius, Pahalgam 3.8 degree Celsius, Kokernag 3.8 degree Celsius, Kupwara 7.3 degree Celsius, Gulmarg minus 3.8 degree Celsius, Leh 0.3 degree Celsius and Kargil minus 2.0 degree Celsius.
Jammu recorded a maximum of 20.4 degree Celsius, Katra 18.5 degree Celsius, Banihal 6.0 degree Celsius, Batote 9.0 degree Celsius and Bhaderwah 8.8 degree Celsius.
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