Gopal Sharma /
Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Mar 2: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which was closed due to rains and landslides last night near Ramban was restored this morning, while a car driver was injured after boulders fell on his car in Kishtwar area whereas, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) today issued avalanche warning for various districts of the State.
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Official sources said that there was heavy rain in Kashmir and many parts of Jammu region last night. The landslides and shooting stones at Panthal, Battery Chashma, Anokhi Fall and Digdol area of Ramban and Ramsoo created blockades at several places on the National Highway. The highway could be restored at around 10.30 am and the authorities allowed movement of traffic. The stranded vehicles were also cleared for their destinations.
After some time again, shooting stones at Panthal, disrupted the movement of traffic for some time. However, taking all possible precautions, the Highway authorities, resumed the vehicular movement on the highway. Till late this evening, the Jammu-Srinagar Highway was operational, the spokesman said.
Reports from Kishtwar, said that an Alto car No. JK17/ 3648 was trapped under boulders and landslides in Faggumarh area of Kishtwar during early hours today.
SP Kishtwar, Abrar Choudhary received an information and he deputed police party led by DySP, Nihar Ranjan and SHO Sameer Jeelani. The police party found that car was badly trapped under the boulders. Two JCBs were engaged for rescue operation.
SP also joined the operation and with utmost precautions, the trapped driver in serious condition was rescued from the damaged car. He was identified as Liaqat Ali, son of Ghulam Abbas, resident of Gurrian village in Kishtwar. He was removed to Kishtwar Hospital.
The chopper service to Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine from the base camp Katra remained suspended for the almost entire day after bad weather and rain in the area today. After taking few sorties during morning hours, the chopper service was again suspended by the authorities. However, yatra to the shrine continued un-interrupted even during the rain.
Sources said that due to landslides in Daggan Top area of Mahore Sub Division, Mahore-Gool Road has been blocked today. However, traffic was plying normally on Reasi-Mahore Road.
Meanwhile, Kashmir valley was lashed by rains and the hills experienced fresh snowfall today disrupting the traffic on the highway while authorities issued fresh avalanche warning for the hills of Kashmir.
A Meteorological official said that widespread rainfall in the plains and moderate snowfall occurred in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir during the last 12 hours. “Inclement weather is likely to continue during the next 24 hours,” he added.
Snowfall occurred at Z-Gali in Kupwara district, Sonamarg and Zojila Pass along Srinagar-Leh highway in Ganderbal district and Peer Ki Gali along Mughal Road in Shopian/ Poonch districts. Gulmarg and higher reaches of Pahalgam also received fresh snowfall.
The official said that during last 34 hours till 1730 hours, Srinagar received 7.1 mm rain, Kokernag 16.3mm, Kupwara 49.6mm, Pahalgam 19.2, Qazigund 24.6mm while Gulmarg had 11.1mm. He said Banihal received 38.1mm rain, Batote 23.6mm, Katra 12.6mm, Bhaderwah 13.0 mm and Jammu 6.1mm.
The minimum temperatures rose due to cloud cover today as Srinagar city recorded 6.8 degree Celsius, Pahalgam 1.9 degree Celsius and Gulmarg minus 1.6 degree Celsius temperature.
Leh town recorded minus 0.4 degree Celsius and Kargil minus 4.3 degree Celsius as the lowest temperatures on today. At minus 4.3 degree Celsius, Kargil was the coldest town in the State.
Meanwhile, after hectic efforts by the rescue teams, bodies of three hunters – Ghulam Mohammad Lone, 36, son of Ali Mohammad Lone, Mohammad Altaf Mir, 25, son of Bashir Ahmad Mir resident of Warnoo, Lolab and Bashir Ahmad Ganaie, 28, son of Ghulam Rasool resident of Dardpora, Lolab – who were buried under an avalanche on Saturday last week, were recovered.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) today issued a medium danger avalanche warning for various districts in the State including parts of Jammu and Ladakh and the highway and appealed to people not to venture in these areas and take precautionary measures.
On the basis of information received from the Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) today issued medium danger avalanche warning for Baramulla, Gulmarg, Furkian-Z Gali, Kupwara-Chowkibal-Tanghdar, Bandipora and Kargil areas, an official spokesman said.
The SDMA also issued low danger warning for Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar Udhampur, Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Leh districts and Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
The people living in these avalanche prone areas have been advised by the authority to take precautionary measures.
Director, Disaster Management, Aamir Ali appealed the people living in avalanche prone areas and higher reaches, to adhere to avalanche warnings issued on daily basis through print and electronic media. Ali advised the people not to venture in these areas and to take precautionary measures.
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