Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 19 : Kashmir valley today experienced fresh snowfall, with the Weatherman forecasting heavy snowfall for next two days while the divisional administration has issued an avalanche warning.
Srinagar experienced 2-3 inches of overnight snowfall disrupting morning traffic on the roads due to slippery road conditions. The South Kashmir had around one inch of snowfall while North Kashmir experienced heavy snowfall which led to closure of roads in the hilly areas.
Gulmarg experienced over one feet of overnight snowfall, Baba Reshi 9 inches, Tangmarg 9 inches, Boniyar 3 inches and Baramulla town 3 inches.
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Kupwara town experienced four inches, Sadna Top over one feet and Z-Gali 5 inches of overnight snow. Bandipora town had 5 inches and Razdhan Top 2.5 feet overnight snowfall.
And due to light snowfall in South Kashmir and Jawahar Tunnel area, the traffic on Jammu-Srinagar was normal today with some disruption in the morning due to slippery road conditions. However, the traffic was allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar today.
In the meantime, the Meteorological Department official said that more snowfall is likely for next three days with maximum intensity on Monday and Tuesday. “A Western Disturbance (WD) is presently active over the State under whose influence moderate to heavy snowfall is likely to occur in the Valley till January 23 after which the intensity of the WD will start decreasing,” a MeT Department official said here.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, today issued fresh avalanche warning for nine avalanche prone districts of Kashmir division.
The warning has been issued for the avalanche-prone areas of district Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kargil and Leh.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has directed the Deputy Commissioners of all these districts to advise the people living in avalanche prone areas not to venture out to avoid the loss of lives.
He also directed the concerned DC’s to take all the precautionary measures and to keep the SDRF, Police and Para-medical staff with ambulances in readiness to avert any untoward incident.
The Traffic Police in Kashmir has issued an advisory in view of forecast of heavy snowfall. It has said that driving on roads covered with ice and snow can be very challenging and advised the people to avoid unnecessary travel, drive at an appropriate speed, minimize the use of two wheelers, follow lane driving, use brake judiciously not abruptly, avoid overtaking, keep distance while driving, use dipped headlights to be visible to others, be cautious while on roads and deflate tyres to keep low pressure to maintain a good grip on slippery roads.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir today conducted extensive city tour to review on ground the preparations made for snow clearance, availability of essential commodities and other important services.
He toured Jehangir Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Lal Chowk, M.A. Road, Poloview, Dalgate, Sonwar, TRC, Abdullah Bridge, Raj Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Solina, Rambagh, Barzulla, New Secretariat Road and other areas to inspect snow clearance from main and interior roads.
SMC and Mechanical Engineering Department (MED) officers informed the Divisional Commissioner that all the men and machinery have been put on high alert in the capital city and the snow clearance operations were started during the night on war footing basis and all roads were through before the morning. For quick snow clearance operations, MED has deployed 155 snow clearance machines besides snow cutters across the Valley so that snow will be cleared on war footing basis.
Officers of PDD, PHE, FCS&CA, Fire and Emergency and other essential services departments informed the Divisional Commissioner regarding preparations and stocking of essential commodities during the inclement weather across the Valley. Khan directed them to work with utmost dedication and synergy to meet any exigency during winters.
The Divisional Commissioner stressed upon all concerned departments to be prepared and keep their men and machinery in ready mode to tackle any situation arising due to inclement weather conditions and ensure prompt restoration.
Later, the Divisional Commissioner paid a surprise visit to G B Pant Hospital Sonwar, Bone and Joint Hospital and other city hospitals and took stock of the medicare, sanitation, heating arrangements and other related facilities available for the patients.
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