Hailstorm damages crops, Met forecasts rain
Gopal Sharma/ Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Apr 6: As the Meteorological Department has forecast erratic weather in Jammu and Kashmir, the hailstorm in Kulgam district and several parts of Jammu region today led to damage to crops, while Jammu- Srinagar National Highway which was blocked due to heavy landslides last midnight near Karol in Ramban, was partially restored for stranded vehicles this afternoon.
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As it was raining in Ramban sector this evening, the highway was not restored for the fresh movement of vehicles from Jammu, Udhampur or Qazigund and Srinagar side.
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A senior Traffic Police official said that highway was blocked near Karol in Ramban after massive landslides last mid night. It blocked both the tubes. The highway restoration work started in the morning and one tube was cleared around 2 pm. Frequent falling of boulders and mudslides amidst rains disrupted restoration work.
SSP Traffic National Highway, Raja Adil Hameed and Dy Commissioner Ramban, Mohd Alyas Khan were supervising clearance operation despite rain.
After restoration of highway, stranded light and medium passenger vehicles and some buses were allowed to move. During this process, a police personnel was injured due to shooting stone and a police vehicle was also hit and suffered minor damage. The injured cop was provided first-aid at Ramban hospital.
The shooting stones amidst rain led to suspension of movement of vehicles several times during the day. After 6 pm again, one tubes was fully cleared and the movement of stranded vehicles was allowed. But during night no fresh movement of vehicles was allowed due to fear of falling boulders and shooting stones from the mountain at this site.
A senior official said that though the highway was partially restored but the fresh movement of vehicles from both the sides will be allowed tomorrow morning if the weather remains favourable.
Reports from Srinagar said that sudden hailstorm struck the Manzgam area of Kulgam district, causing significant damage to both vegetable crops and the horticulture sector.
The intense hailstorm badly affected standing crops, leaving farmers worried about heavy losses. Orchards in the area also suffered damage, with fruit-bearing trees impacted at a crucial stage.
Residents have urged the administration to assess the losses at the earliest and provide necessary compensation and relief to the affected farmers.
In the meantime, MeT forecast another wet spell across Kashmir, with intermittent light to moderate rain expected from tomorrow forenoon to Wednesday evening.
A MeT official said that snowfall is also likely over the higher reaches during this period.
According to the forecast, a few places in both Jammu division and Kashmir division may receive moderate to heavy rainfall, while higher altitude areas are likely to witness light to moderate snowfall.
MeT office also issued an advisory warning of the possibility of thunder, hailstorms and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph at a few places during April 7 and 8.
It also warned that intense heavy showers for brief periods may trigger flash floods, landslides in vulnerable areas, and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
“On April 9 and 10, there is a possibility of brief spells of light rain and snowfall over higher reaches at scattered places. From April 11 to April 16, the weather is expected to remain generally dry, although a brief spell of rain at a few places cannot be ruled out towards the afternoon,”it said.
Meanwhile, the minimum night temperatures across the region showed varied trends, with several parts of Kashmir Division recording temperatures 1-3 degree Celsius above normal.
The lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir Division was recorded at Gulmarg, where the mercury dipped to minus 1.1 degree Celsius. In Jammu Division, the coldest place was Bhaderwah, which recorded a minimum temperature of 4.0 C, according to the Meteorological data.
The hail storm in many parts of Jammu region including Latti, Dudu, Basantgarh, Ramnagar, Billawar, Bani area and parts of Ramban and Doda caused extensive damage to crops and fruit trees. Reports said thunder storm and hailstorm also hit many parts of Jammu, Reasi, Rajouri, Kathua and Samba areas during last three days caused damage to the crops. The farmers have demanded compensation for the damaged crops and fruit trees.
With the rains and fresh snowfall on the higher reaches the temperature has also dropped in the region. In Jammu, it was partially clear weather today but it again turned cloudy during evening.
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