Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Feb 16: Rains lashed Kashmir valley today while the hills had fresh snowfall with authorities issuing snow avalanche and landslide warning the hills of the Valley.
The Director of Meteorological Department in Srinagar, Sonam, Lotus said here that the Western Disturbance that persists over the State is likely to last till February 24, and will bring rains and snow with occasional gaps.
Lotus said under the influence of this weather system, there could be thundershower in plains of Jammu division and snowfall over higher reaches of Kashmir valley and Jammu divisions and at many places of Ladakh region. He said that some places may receive heavy rain or snow during this period.
Lotus warned that these weather conditions may trigger landslide and avalanche in vulnerable areas of the State. He said weather system may disrupt surface and air traffic during the week. He said there will be significant decrease in day temperatures and slight rise in night temperature.
A weather office official said that Srinagar received 9.4 millimeters of rain while Kupwara in North Kashmir received 24 millimeters. “Due to rainfall, there was slight decrease in the day temperature here with Srinagar recording 6.9 degree Celsius”, the official said. Gulmarg received 4 inches of snow on today.
Reports said that 2 feet snow had accumulated in Z-gali, one feet in Keran and Kupwara-Tangdhar road has been closed due to snowfall and avalanches.
Authorities have already issued avalanche warning in avalanche prone areas of Kashmir valley and Ladakh region. The Divisional Administration has directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of Ganderbal, Shopian, Bandipora, Kupwara and Kargil to take all necessary arrangements to meet any snow challenge.
The DCs have advised the people living in avalanche prone areas above 2500 meters not to venture out to avoid any accident. “The people have been asked to keep cleaning the snow deposition from roof tops of the houses and bunkers to avoid any untoward incident during the snowfall. People have also been advised to temporarily evacuate from those locations, which are under the line of avalanche”, an official spokesman said.
Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmad Lone, has directed departments like Power Development Department (PDD), Mechanical Engineering, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Drainage, UEED, Fire and Emergency Services to ensure that men and machinery are kept ready to face any eventuality due to snow fall or heavy rains in Srinagar.
He said general public should face no difficulties whatsoever, and all line departments are enjoined upon to ensure that normal life does not get impacted adversely due to snow or rainfall.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Traffic, Muneer Khan, told Excelsior that despite intermittent rainfall and snow, the one way traffic from Srinagar plied normally. “Around 3500 vehicles cross the Banihal tunnel this morning and are on the way to Jammu”, he added.
Khan said that the weather will remain freak this week with mostly rains along the National Highway. He said that this will lead to landslides in Ramban, Ramsu and Nashri areas. He said that the commuters especially passengers are asked to follow cut off timings strictly and cross the slide prone area during the day light for their safety.
In Srinagar the rains led to water logging in several areas. Around one feet water had accumulated at places on Residency Road. In Jawahar Nagar area near the SMC office one week water had accumulated on the road and if it continues the water may enter the residential houses as their level same as the road level. Several low lying areas are water logged in the periphery of Srinagar causing problems for the residents.
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