33 nomads trapped in snow rescued, 25 goats die in Dudu
*Jammu-Sgr NH restored, several roads remain blocked
Fayaz Bukhari/ Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Oct 7: The traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh National Highways along with Mughal and Sinthan Top roads was suspended today following multiple landslides triggered by heavy rain and snow accumulation in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir while 33 nomads trapped in snow were rescued in Bhaderwah and Banihal areas today.
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The high-altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall on the second consecutive day, while the plains were lashed by heavy overnight rain, resulting in a considerable drop in the mercury. Several rivers including Tawi, Chenab, Ujh and Basantar in Jammu region were flooded.
A Traffic Police official said the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed for vehicular movement this morning due to landslides and shooting of stones at multiple locations between Udhampur and Banihal.
Nashri, Peerah, Marog, Gangroo and Panthyal were the main points which were badly affected with the landslides. A portion of Thrad area near Udhampur was again affected and mud and slush partially stalled the vehicular movement. A car got trapped in the mud and water accumulated on the roadside at this point. Six passengers were on board the Kashmir bound car.
Batote-Kishtwar, Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli, Kishtwar-Kokernag and Chenani-Mantalai-Latti-Dudu roads were also closed. Though snow from Mughal Road at Pir Ki Gali was cleared by this evening but the traffic was not restored due to slippery road conditions. Batote-Kishtwar road which was blocked at Raggi Nallah was restored after three hours while Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was restored for stranded traffic at around 2 pm, the Traffic police official said
The pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi temple atop the Trikuta Hills in Reasi district remained suspended for the third day on Tuesday owing to inclement weather. The Government and private schools remained closed for the second day across the Jammu division on Tuesday.
Udhampur in Jammu division recorded the highest rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am Tuesday at 100.2 mm, followed by 98.2 mm in Batote and 75.8 mm in Banihal, 44 mm in Katra – the base camp for the pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi — and 38.6 mm in Jammu city, a spokesman of the Meteorological department said.
Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of of 21.3 degrees Celsius, 11.1 degrees below normal during this part of the season, while the minimum temperature also fell almost by six degrees to 15 degrees Celsius, the MeT office said.
At least 25 tribals belonging to the Bakerwal community were rescued by the Army after they were trapped in a snowstorm with their livestock in the upper reaches of Doda district.
Dozens of tribal families were on their traditional seasonal migration trail from the high-altitude meadows of Padder, Marwah, Dachan and Warwan areas of Kishtwar, via Bhaderwah, towards Kathua and Samba districts, when they were caught in unseasonal snowfall.
Although several families managed to reach safer places, others were stuck in a blizzard in Padri Gali, Satlad, Biddi Gali and Ganja-Goth areas and were subsequently rescued by personnel of the four Rashtriya Rifles, based at Bhaderwah, the officials said.
When the troops, based at the Khanni Top post at an altitude of 10,000 feet, learned about the plight of tribals trapped in the snowstorm, they rushed to their aid and safely shifted them to their camp, where they were given first aid, free ration and other essential items, they said.
The officials said the rescued Bakerwals include 11 men, 10 women and four children, besides 420 livestock including 250 sheep, 150 goats and 20 horses.
At Shivgali, in Dudu area of Udhampur at least 25 goats/ sheep of a Bakerwal were killed due to lightning and hailstorm last night. The officials from Dudu and Basantgarh areas visited the site today.
Reports from Ramban said that in a prompt and coordinated rescue operation, Ramban police successfully rescued several nomad families who were trapped due to sudden snowfall at Zaban Top in Banihal.
Acting swiftly upon receiving information, a joint team comprising the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Banihal, Station House Officer (SHO) Banihal, Incharge Police Post Jawahar Tunnel, and personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG) Banihal launched a rescue mission despite harsh weather and treacherous terrain.
Braving the challenging conditions, the police teams evacuate eight (8) individuals along with their livestock and belongings. The rescued families were shifted to a safer location, ensuring their well-being.
A police officer claimed that the operation once again highlights the dedication and commitment of District Police Ramban towards safeguarding the public, especially in remote and high-altitude areas prone to adverse weather conditions.
Police identified the rescued individuals as Shoket Ali, Abdul Haq, Arshan, Rafaqat, Parveen, Nasrat, Sabir, and Haitoon Begum, all residents of Pouni, Reasi.
Meanwhile, the snow on the Mughal Road was cleared today by the concerned department and stranded vehicles were allowed to move but the road remained closed for the fresh traffic.
Official sources said that the Mughal Road experienced season’s first snowfall on Monday after which traffic movement was stopped but there were more than 200 vehicles stranded on different locations. Border Roads Organization today cleared the snow.
SSP Poonch Shafqat Bhat, SDM Surankote, Farooq Khan Nazki and SDPO Surankote Ch. Ajaz visited the road, and after examining the road condition allowed the movement of stranded vehicles.
Meanwhile, the season’s first snowfall was recorded at multiple places across Kashmir on the second straight day today, while the weather improved this afternoon amid the closure of all the major highways and roads in the region.
The maximum temperature continued to witness a dip today as well amid the season’s first snowfall in Kokernag, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Sadhna Top, Karnah, Sinthan Top, Pir Ki Gali and other areas.
The weather conditions improved this afternoon, while the day temperature dropped for the second consecutive day today.
As per the details, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 16.1 degrees Celsius which is 9.4 degrees Celsius below normal, Qazigund recorded 15.4 degrees Celsius which is 8.7 degrees Celsius below normal.
The maximum temperature in Pahalgam settled at 12.1 degrees Celsius which is 10.3 degrees Celsius below normal while Kupwara and Kokernag saw a maximum temperature of 15.4 degrees Celsius which is 11.4 degrees Celsius below normal and 13.2 degrees Celsius which is 10.6 degrees Celsius below normal, respectively.
The local Meteorological department in Srinagar informed that during the past 24 hours till today afternoon, Qazigund recorded70 mm, Kokernag 68.9 mm and Pahalgam 52.6 mm rains.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, stated that a brief spell of light rain is expected at a few places in Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow (Wednesday).
“Generally, dry weather is expected from October 9 to 17,” he added.
Moreover, in its advisory, the farmers have been advised to resume all farm activities from Wednesday onwards.
All the major highways/ roads remained closed for vehicular movement today as a precautionary measure.
-Sonamarg-Gumri and Bandipora-Gurez road have been closed by the authorities today as a precautionary measure.
The highways and roads are expected to be thrown open for vehicular movement by tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the Horticulture Department, Kashmir, has begun assessing the extent of crop damage following the untimely snowfall and rains that lashed several parts of the Valley over the past few days.
Deputy Director of Horticulture, Kashmir, Javid Ahmad Bhat, said that field officers have been directed to carry out detailed surveys in their respective areas to evaluate the losses suffered by fruit growers, particularly apple cultivators, as harvesting season is still underway in many regions.
The official further advised growers to exercise caution while resuming harvesting. “They should wait for weather improvement and allow the fruit and trees to dry properly. Packing wet apples can lead to spoilage during storage or transportation, resulting in economic losses,” he said.
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