MeT forecasts rain, snow from Feb 5-7
Gopal Sharma/ Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Feb 4: While traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was disrupted for several hours due to landslides at two places between Ramban and Banihal, a vehicle slipped from snow clad road near Bhaderwah causing serious injuries to a couple whereas, a woman was buried alive after her Kucha house collapsed due to heavy snow, about 25 kms from Bhaderwah early today.
Reports from Ramban said that fresh landslides at Kharpora near Banihal and another slide between Ramsu and Ramban disrupted movement of traffic for about three to four hours today. The disruption of traffic on the National Highway created massive traffic jams for hours between Nashri-Ramban and Banihal section of the National Highway. The people remained caught in traffic jam for hours together and even at around 7 pm the vehicles were moving at snail’s pace in Ramban area.
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A Traffic official at Ramban said that since road is narrow/ single at many slide zones, the vehicles got struck at these places. Since one way traffic is allowed these days but many local light and medium passenger vehicles, besides others coming from Jammu or Srinagar side also make their way by dodging the Traffic police nakas. It generally creates traffic mess on the highway.
Meanwhile, an elderly couple was injured after their vehicle was slipped into a deep gorge from snow-clad road in Bhaderwah area of district Doda today. The mishap took place when they were moving in Bhaderwah area of district Doda.
At slippery snow clad road at Narnoo, their Mahindra SUV No. JK02AX/9500, went out of control and rolled down into 60 feet deep gorge at the bank of Neeru river, causing serious injuries to the elderly couple. They were identified as 70- year old Mohan Lal Sharma and his wife Shakuntla Devi (66). Sharma himself was driving the vehicle.
“Locals immediately rushed to the spot and shifted the injured couple to Sub District Hospital Bhaderwah, from where after first aid both were airlifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu for specialized treatment,” said Rajinder Singh, ASP Bhaderwah.
“According to preliminary reports, the driver lost control after applying brakes to the vehicle on icy road, resulting into accident,” the ASP added.
Another report said that a 72-year-old woman died when a portion of her muddy house collapsed during wee hours of Monday. The incident occurred at around 3.30 am at about 25 kms south of Bhaderwah town in snow bound Tatora-Gajoth village. The victim Seetu Devi was staying along with her son, Bhushan Kumar and others when the incident occurred.
The police said the house was made up of mud and stone with cedar wood roof. The house could not withstand the weight of heavy snow, which lashed the area since last one week. After listening the screams, villagers rushed to the spot and also informed the police.
SHO Bhaderwah, Munir Khan, said Seetu Devi, wife of Late Hari Chand, resident of Tatora Gajoth was sleeping when the incident took place and she was buried alive under the debris. The other members, However, had miraculous escape. The police from Bhalla Police Post and locals later extricated the body from the debris.
Meanwhile, a MeT official has predicted wet weather from tomorrow for next three days with heavy snowfall on Pir Panchal mountains and other higher reaches which may lead to closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway again.
He said fresh Western Disturbance were likely to hit Jammu and Kashmir from tomorrow till 7th of this month. The official said that it will lead to moderate to heavy snow and rain at widespread places in the State from February 5 afternoon. “The main activity of the system- heavy to very heavy rain/snow is most likely during February 5 and 7, 2019 and gradual decrease thereafter”, the official said.
“The system is likely to cause widespread rain and snow with heavy to very heavy rain and snow mainly in South Kashmir, Pir Panchal Range including Jawahar Tunnel.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, 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.
The DCs are directed to activate their Control Rooms and ensure snow clearance equipments are placed at proper places for snow clearance in respect of their districts as per the snow clearance plan.
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