Srinagar, Feb 7: Kashmir Valley Monday received rain and snowfall as western disturbances continue to persist over Jammu and Kashmir, the meteorological department said. Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed for the day for vehicular traffic owing to landslides at Panthial.
Authorities today issued a high-danger avalanche warning in some areas close to Line of Control in Kashmir, even as medium avalanche threat continues in several other areas of the Valley due to snowfall.
Met officials said that the upper reaches of North Kashmir received several feet of snow during the day. The Sadna Top in Kupwara district received 5-6 feet of snow, while Gurez received 3 feet. Drass and Machil also witnessed heavy snowfall. The ski resort of Gulmarg received 2 feet of snow while Pahalgam in south Kashmir received 8 centimeters.
The officials said Z-Gali received 66 inches of snow, Keran 12, Fukian Top 36, Karnah 36, Tangmarg 4, Shopian 2 inches and Keller 12 inches till late in the evening.
Normal life was disrupted in Kashmir division as rains lashed the Valley with Qazigund, the gateway town to the Valley, received 102 mm rainfall.
A Met department official said they expect a decrease in the precipitation in the next two days but western disturbances are still here which can lead to further downpour.
The summer capital Srinagar, where gusty winds were blowing since yesterday and continued throughout the night, recorded 21.2 mm rainfall till late in the evening.
The maximum temperature recorded in Srinagar was 8.8 degree Celsius while the minimum was recorded at 1.8 degree Celsius.
Atleast 20 houseboats were badly damaged in the Dal lake. One of them belonging to Ghulam Nabi Pir finally drowned at Nehru Park. Houseboat Owners Association President, Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo said the affected suffered losses worth lakhs of rupees. Wangnoo appealed the administration to visit the affected area.
However, all flights to and from the Srinagar airport operated normally. Heavy downpour in the city led to disruption of normal life. The roads were flooded with rainwater and many shops opened late.
In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, 21.4 mm rainfall was recorded, the official said.
Kokernag town in south Kashmir also recorded 27.3 mm rainfall.
Met office has forecast rain and snowfall at most places in the state tomorrow. The authorities also announced closure of Srinagar-Jammu highway. “Due to landslide at Panthail the highway has been closed. However, the highway will be opened for one way traffic tomorrow after assessing the road condition,” an official said adding that all the stranded vehicles were cleared this evening.
Senior Superintendent of Police Traffic—Rural—G M Wadoo said that traffic would be allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar on Tuesday if weather improves.
An abetment of a bridge was damaged at Mandool Kulgam due to overflow of water. Amir said due to wind storm many residential houses in Srinagar were damaged. Some houseboats in Dal Lake also suffered damage due to windstorm. Amir said the deputy commissioner Srinagar has directed the revenue authorities to make an assessment of the damage so that cases would be sent to government for immediate action.
He said there were no reports of loss of life.
HEAVY SNOWFALL IN KARGIL
Murtaza Ali adds from Kargil: Due to heavy snowfall for last three days normal life in Kargil has come to a grinding halt. Power and telephone connections were cut and all the local roads are cut from the district headquarter.
Far flung areas of Kargil district including Drass, Sankoo, Chiktan and Batalik were cut-off due to heavy snowfall.
Kargil received a snowfall 2 feet, Drass 4 feet, Sankoo 2 feet, Chikthan 2 feet and Batalik 2 feet.
Chief Executive Councilor Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil, Haji Ghulam Amir Kamran chaired a high level meeting to take stock of the supply position.
AVALANCHE WARNING
“A high danger avalanche warning exists for Duddhi, Macchil and SM Hill areas in north Kashmir,” Disaster Management Cell coordinator Amir Ali said.
The official warned people of medium danger avalanche till February 8 evening in Khilanmarg, Uri, Baaz, Chakwali, Keran, Gugaldara, Razadan Pass, Kanzalwan, Niru, Baruad, Chakwali, three kilometres on either side of Jawahar Tunnel, Sonamarg, Zojila, Gumri, Kargil, Drass, Padum, Bhimet, Kaksar and Hundurbrok.
He advised people not to venture out in avalanche prone areas. “Routes should be selected with care and movement on slopes should be with extreme care,” he said.