Rain lashes Valley, Jammu areas; temp drops
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR/ JAMMU. Nov 6: Kashmir valley and many areas of Jammu were lashed by rains while hills received heavy snowfall today forcing the closure of Srinagar-Leh National Highway, Mughal Road and several other hill roads across the State.
Kashmir valley was lashed by rains since last night while the upper reaches received heavy snowfall forcing closure of many border roads. Gulmarg, the famous tourist resort received over one feet of snow till this evening and it was snowing there. The Afferwat hills overlooking Gulmarg bowl received 3 feet snowfall.
Tangmarg-Gulmarg Road was slippery and the only vehicles fitted with chains were allowed to ply on the road. Tanvir Ahmad, a driver, said that he was on his way to Gulmarg with tourists but could not reach there due to slippery road condition. “I had to return Tangmarg from Zig due to slippery road conditions. However, the tourists went in another vehicle”, he said.
Srinagar-Leh National Highway was also closed this morning after heavy snowfall in Sonamarg and Zojila pass. Over one feet snow has accumulated on Zojila pass and it was snowing till last reports came in.
It was also snowing heavily in Pir Ki Gali area of Shopian and higher reaches of Poonch forcing authorities to close the Mughal Road. Over one feet snow had accumulated at Pir Ki Gali (Pass) and the road was closed for traffic this morning due to slippery conditions.
A senior Police officer at Poonch said that due to rain and snowfall in Pir Panchal area, the movement of vehicular traffic on Mughal Road was suspended this morning. Some vehicles said to have been trapped and they were being removed by the security agencies. The trapped passengers have been evacuated to the safer places and also provided food and shelter.
Meanwhile, a senior Traffic police official said that the traffic was moving smoothly on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway despite light rain in Banihal-Ramban belt this evening. The authorities were taking precautions and keeping eyes on the weather. But the movement of traffic from Kashmir to Jammu side continued smoothly till late this evening.
It was raining in Rajouri, parts of Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts and temperature has dropped considerably in the region due to rain and snowfall at higher reaches. The impact of cold has been witnessed in the winter capital city Jammu as well and the people were seen clad in warm clothes in the evening. The chopper service to Mata Vaishno Devi from Base camp Katra was suspended for several hours during the day due to bad weather but on-foot, yatra continued smoothly.
The mountain passes in North Kashmir like Razdan Pass, Sadna Pass and Z-Gali also received snowfall since last night and roads leading to Gurez, Tanghdar, Keran have been closed.
Deputy Director Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtiyar Ahmad, said that the weather will remain wet till Friday morning. He said that there has been snowfall in the hills of Kashmir and it will continue till Friday. “There are chances of more snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir during next 36 hours”, he said.
The official said that the Valley is witnessing rain since last night and it will continue till November 8. He said that the intensity of the rains and snowfall has been more due to cyclonic activity along Karnataka-Gujarat coast in Arabian Sea. The wet weather has led to drop in the day temperature in Kashmir while the night temperature has improved.
The drop in the temperature had led to early onset of winter in Kashmir. People have pulled out heating devices and woolen to keep themselves warm. Due to the rainfall the flea market in Polo View area was deserted as people remains mostly indoors. The rains also led to water logging on some roads and low lying localities.
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