Over 160 people trapped at Sinthan Top, Peer Ki Gali rescued
*MeT office predicts wet weather ahead
Gopal Sharma
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Mar 15: Many parts of Jammu and Kashmir were lashed by rains and higher reaches had a fresh snowfall leading to drop in the temperatures across the region with the Weatherman forecasting more wet weather for next one week.
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Army, GREF (BRO) and J&K Police personnel rescued at least 160 people who were trapped in about 70 vehicles at Sinthan Top in Kishtwar and Pir Ki Gali on Mughal Road. About half a dozen vehicles were also rescued at Chhattergalla between Sarthal (Bani) and Guldanda in Bhaderwah this evening amidst snowfall, officials said.
The higher reaches of Kashmir including Affarwat, Peer Ki Gali, Zojila and Doodpathri received snowfall while Valley was lashed by rains since this morning.
The snowfall and rains led to a drop in the maximum temperatures across the J&K region. Srinagar recorded 11.5 Degree Celsius, Qazigund 11.4 Degree Celsius, Pahalgam 9.4 Degree Celsius, Kupwara 11.6 Degree Celsius and Kokernag 11.6 Degree Celsius which was 3.6 Degree Celsius, 3.3 Degree Celsius, 2.6 Degree Celsius, 3.6 Degree Celsius and 2.0 Degree Celsius below normal, respectively for these places for this time of the year.
Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 5.2 Degree Celsius which was 0.2 Degree Celsius above normal for this time of the year for the ski resort. Click here to watch video
Bhaderwah town recorded a minimum temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius, Banihal town 6.1 deg, Batote 11.0 deg C, Katra Mata Vaishnodevi 15.8 deg, while Jammu registered 17.1 deg C on Sunday.
Winter capital Jammu recorded a day temperature of 19.4 deg c indicating about 10 degrees drop in the temperature during last three days. The day temperature remained above 30 deg C during last week in Jammu. Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 17 deg C, Batote 14.2 deg, Bhaderwah 10.2 deg while Banihal town experienced day temperature of 12.2 deg C on Sunday.
The Meteorological Department in Srinagar forecast continued unstable weather across J&K till March 20, with intermittent rainfall and snowfall likely in several parts of the region.
Director MeT Mukhtar Ahmad said intermittent light to moderate rain, along with snowfall over higher reaches, is expected at many places between March 15 and 16, particularly till the forenoon of March 16. On March 17, the weather is likely to remain partly cloudy with chances of brief spells of light rain or snow over isolated higher areas.
He said generally cloudy conditions are expected from March 18 to 20, with the possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall at several places, mainly during night and morning hours.
Ahmad said weather conditions are likely to remain mostly dry between March 21 and 23, while March 24-25 may witness generally cloudy skies with chances of light rain or snowfall over higher reaches at scattered locations.
A senior Traffic official said that Mughal Road has been closed for all types of vehicular movement following fresh snowfall and rainfall at Peer Ki Gali. He said at least 20 vehicles were trapped near Peer Ki Gali and nearly 50 people were rescued by GREF and Army men by this evening.
The road has been shut as a precautionary measure due to fresh snowfall at Peer Ki Gali and inclement weather conditions along the route. The commuters have been advised to refrain from travelling on the Mughal Road till further orders.
A senior official in Kishtwar district administration said that at least 110 people trapped in nearly 50 light motor vehicles were rescued by Army, police and GREF personnel at Sinthan Top this evening. He said about 1.5 ft to 2 ft snowfall was experienced at Sinthan Top and Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma and SSP Naresh Singh were monitoring rescue operation till late evening at the site. He said all the people were brought back to Chhatroo and Kishtwar.
Traffic on the Srinagar-Ladakh National Highway was suspended today after snowfall at Zojila Pass shortly after authorities had allowed vehicles to proceed from Sonamarg towards Kargil.
The temporary reopening came after the highway remained closed for six consecutive days due to heavy snowfall that had led to accumulation of snow along the Zojila axis.
Authorities had earlier launched snow clearance operations from both sides of the highway following an improvement in weather conditions.
The development had allowed traffic officials to briefly permit vehicular movement towards Ladakh.
According to traffic authorities, around 300 vehicles including passenger vehicles and Tata Mobile carriers loaded with vegetables were allowed to move from Sonamarg towards Kargil.
A traffic police official said that the convoy was allowed to depart from Sonamarg at around 10:30 a.m. after road clearance operations were completed on the stretch.
The snowfall prompted authorities to suspend vehicle movement as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents along the high-altitude mountain pass.
Snowfall also blanketed Doodhpathri and surrounding hills in Budgam district today.
Winter capital Jammu also received light to moderate rain, experiencing drop in temperature. The people again took out woolen clothes. The reports of rains were also received from Samba, Kathua and parts of Udhampur, Ramban and Reasi. The traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was moving smoothly amidst light rain,a Traffic police official said.
Reports from Doda said that fresh snowfall in Bhaderwah valley on Sunday has provided a much-needed boost to the region’s tourism and agriculture sectors, effectively reversing a prolonged dry spell that had threatened economic prospects of the hilly region.
After dry February followed by even first 11 days of drier March, today the much needed precipitation since early morning brought cheers to the locals, especially those associated with tourism industry and agriculture.
The plains of Bhaderwah Sub Division received rainfall since 5 am while fresh snowfall occurred in higher reaches including famous tourist destinations like Guldanda, Chattergalla, Padri, Jatani, Subar Dhar, Kailash Kund, Ashapati and Rehoshra.
According to locals, following a brief winter spell due to lack of unadequate snowfall, March snowfall will hopefully trigger a surge in tourist inquires especially for Jaie, Padri, Bhal, and Subar Dhar. The snow-covered landscape, particularly in areas like Guldanda and Chattargalla, have attracted tourists, leading to high occupancy rates in hotels.
The snowfall has significantly reduced the accumulated rainfall deficit, bringing relief to farmers and fruit growers who were concerned about the impact of a dry winter on crops.
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