Srinagar, Feb 14: The valley experienced light to heavy snowfall on Monday, prompting authorities to issue high danger avalanche warning in the high altitude areas.
The 296-kms long Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed for the second day today due to landslides.
People in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley woke up this morning to see a white blanket covering the surface. The moderate to heavy snowfall started in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley in the morning again with inches of snow accumulating on the city roads making it difficult for motorists to negotiate the slippery roads.
The Zabarwan hills overlooking the world famous Dal Lake had also turned white, adding to the beauty of the scenic Himalayan region.
Official sources said most parts of north Kashmir including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg and Pir Panchal ranges in the south experienced heavy snowfall.
Reports of heavy snowfall were also received from frontier region of Ladakh, including Kargil and Drass.
Coordinator Disaster Management cell, Aamir Ali said Kargil received 4 inches of snowfall, Drass 10 inches, Zanskar 5 inches, Srinagar 1 to 2 inches, Kulan and Baba Nagri in Ganderbal 2 to 9 inches, Yousmarg in Budgam 2 – 12 inches, Tangmarg and Gulmarg in Baramulla 2 to 30 inches, Kupwara 4 inches, Bandipora 1 inch, Gurez 12 to 18 inches, Kellar in Pulwama 4 to 6 inches, Sedow, Heropora in Shopian 5 to 12 inches, Pahalgam – to 6 inches and Aharbal, Psimer in Kulgam 0 to 9 inches.
Owing to rains and snow, the roads in Srinagar and major towns of valley witnessed water logging. The residents of low lying areas especially Bemina and Mahjoor Nagar had tough time while moving out as lanes and by-lanes were inundated with waters.
A weather department official said heavy to moderate snowfall and rain are likely to occur at many places in the Valley during next 24 hours (until Tuesday). “A western disturbance active over Jammu and Kashmir presently is expected to weaken after February 16 and till then wet weather would continue here,” he said.
Owing to fresh snow and rainfall, the Srinagar-Jammu highway, only road link connecting Kashmir with rest of the world, remained closed for the second day today.
"The shooting stones from a hillock overlooking the arterial road at Panthal is hampering the operation to clear the highway for vehicular traffic,” a traffic department official said.
He said beacon, which is maintaining the highway, has kept its men and machines ready but the inclement weather is hampering their efforts to restore the surface link between the valley and the rest of the country.
Sources said over 400 vehicles, including 30-40 passenger buses and light motor vehicles were stranded at various places along the highway at Ramban, Ramsoo, Panthal, Banihal and Digdol.
The relatives of the persons stranded on the highway appealed authorities to facilitate safe passage of the stranded travelers. “My three nieces - Muskaan (8), Safana (4) and Rutba (5) of Kadlabal Pampore along with their father are stranded on the highway from Sunday afternoon,” said Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Pampore.
He urged the authorities to airlift the stranded persons.
A government official said due to inclement weather no commercial flight operated from Srinagar airport today. “Only the State Plane carrying Advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul and MoS Aijaz Khan arrived from Jammu in Srinagar airport today,” he said.
Meanwhile, a high danger avalanche warning has been sounded by Disaster Management Cell for hilly areas above 8000 feet.
People staying in snow bound area above 2500 mtr (approximately 8000 ft) altitude of Islamabad, Banihal, Kishtwar, Pulwama, Gulmarg, Nowgam, Banihal, Baramulla, Uri, Kupwara, Tanghdar, Keran, Machil, Bandipora, Gurez, Gugaldara, Chowkibal, Sonamarg and Kargil have been advised not to venture in steep avalanche prone slopes till 1700 hours February 15.
They have also been advised to keep clearing the snow from the rooftop of their houses to avoid any casualty due to roof collapse.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that precautionary measures are taken in view of the avalanche warning.
He has directed that services of volunteers appointed under National Youth Corps be utilised in Disaster Management Control Rooms set up in all districts.
People in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley woke up this morning to see a white blanket covering the surface. The moderate to heavy snowfall started in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley in the morning again with inches of snow accumulating on the city roads making it difficult for motorists to negotiate the slippery roads.
The Zabarwan hills overlooking the world famous Dal Lake had also turned white, adding to the beauty of the scenic Himalayan region.
Official sources said most parts of north Kashmir including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg and Pir Panchal ranges in the south experienced heavy snowfall.
Reports of heavy snowfall were also received from frontier region of Ladakh, including Kargil and Drass.
Coordinator Disaster Management cell, Aamir Ali said Kargil received 4 inches of snowfall, Drass 10 inches, Zanskar 5 inches, Srinagar 1 to 2 inches, Kulan and Baba Nagri in Ganderbal 2 to 9 inches, Yousmarg in Budgam 2 – 12 inches, Tangmarg and Gulmarg in Baramulla 2 to 30 inches, Kupwara 4 inches, Bandipora 1 inch, Gurez 12 to 18 inches, Kellar in Pulwama 4 to 6 inches, Sedow, Heropora in Shopian 5 to 12 inches, Pahalgam – to 6 inches and Aharbal, Psimer in Kulgam 0 to 9 inches.
Owing to rains and snow, the roads in Srinagar and major towns of valley witnessed water logging. The residents of low lying areas especially Bemina and Mahjoor Nagar had tough time while moving out as lanes and by-lanes were inundated with waters.
A weather department official said heavy to moderate snowfall and rain are likely to occur at many places in the Valley during next 24 hours (until Tuesday). “A western disturbance active over Jammu and Kashmir presently is expected to weaken after February 16 and till then wet weather would continue here,” he said.
Owing to fresh snow and rainfall, the Srinagar-Jammu highway, only road link connecting Kashmir with rest of the world, remained closed for the second day today.
"The shooting stones from a hillock overlooking the arterial road at Panthal is hampering the operation to clear the highway for vehicular traffic,” a traffic department official said.
He said beacon, which is maintaining the highway, has kept its men and machines ready but the inclement weather is hampering their efforts to restore the surface link between the valley and the rest of the country.
Sources said over 400 vehicles, including 30-40 passenger buses and light motor vehicles were stranded at various places along the highway at Ramban, Ramsoo, Panthal, Banihal and Digdol.
The relatives of the persons stranded on the highway appealed authorities to facilitate safe passage of the stranded travelers. “My three nieces - Muskaan (8), Safana (4) and Rutba (5) of Kadlabal Pampore along with their father are stranded on the highway from Sunday afternoon,” said Bilal Ahmad, a resident of Pampore.
He urged the authorities to airlift the stranded persons.
A government official said due to inclement weather no commercial flight operated from Srinagar airport today. “Only the State Plane carrying Advisor to Chief Minister Mubarak Gul and MoS Aijaz Khan arrived from Jammu in Srinagar airport today,” he said.
Meanwhile, a high danger avalanche warning has been sounded by Disaster Management Cell for hilly areas above 8000 feet.
People staying in snow bound area above 2500 mtr (approximately 8000 ft) altitude of Islamabad, Banihal, Kishtwar, Pulwama, Gulmarg, Nowgam, Banihal, Baramulla, Uri, Kupwara, Tanghdar, Keran, Machil, Bandipora, Gurez, Gugaldara, Chowkibal, Sonamarg and Kargil have been advised not to venture in steep avalanche prone slopes till 1700 hours February 15.
They have also been advised to keep clearing the snow from the rooftop of their houses to avoid any casualty due to roof collapse.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has directed all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that precautionary measures are taken in view of the avalanche warning.
He has directed that services of volunteers appointed under National Youth Corps be utilised in Disaster Management Control Rooms set up in all districts.
