Landslide on Jammu-Srinagar road hits traffic, avalanche warning issued

PTI

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, February 4

Heavy snowfall, rain and landslide brought miseries to residents of J&K on Sunday. The traffic movement on a number of roads and power supply to many areas were disrupted. In Srinagar, all flights were cancelled. Avalanche warning has also been issued for several areas.

The traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway came to a standstill due to a major landslide at Kishtwari Pather in Sherbibi of Ramban district. By evening, the highway was partially restored. Only stranded vehicles were allowed to proceed further. Regular traffic was not allowed as the damaged portion had not been fully repaired. The administration issued an advisory, asking the people to avoid travelling on NH-44 until the weather improves and the road is restored. It was also advised to consult the traffic control unit before embarking on the journey.

Valley shivers

Gulmarg -7° Celsius

Pahalgam -3.5° Celsius

Qazigund -3° Celsius

Kokernag -2.2° Celsius

Srinagar -0.7° Celsius

Amid continuous snowfall, a pregnant woman was rescued from remote Senabathi Paristan and transferred to the primary health centre (PHC) at Ukhral of the district. The Tehsildar and Block Medical Officer, Ukhral, took stock of the woman’s health. Health services in many parts of the UT also crumbled due to heavy snowfall. Those in need of medical attention were taken to other areas in absence of power in higher reaches.

‘Avoid outing in areas prone to avalanche’

• The J&K Disaster Management Authority issued an avalanche warning for Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts.
• People have been asked to take precaution and avoid venturing out in the avalanche-prone areas till further orders.
• Several patients in higher reaches awaiting medical attention shifted to hospitals.
• At least 2-6 inches of snowfall has taken place in lower reaches and 8-12 inches in middle and higher reaches.

Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh stated many patients from upper reaches of Gandoh were brought to the hospital. The DC said contact numbers had been issued for the people to make it easy for the administration to reach the spot.

Officials at the Srinagar airport informed that all flights had been cancelled due to snowfall in the Valley. The snowfall, which began late Saturday night, had stopped briefly early in the morning, allowing clearance of the runway. “However, the snowfall started again before any flight could operate,” an official of the Airport Authority of India said. In a statement issued in Mumbai, private carrier IndiGo said six of its flights — four to Srinagar and two to Leh — were cancelled as the the runways in Srinagar and Leh had been closed.

Meanwhile, the J&K Disaster Management Authority issued an avalanche warning for areas above 2,400 metres above sea level over Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts in the next 24 hours. The authority asked the people in these areas to take precautions and avoid venturing out in the avalanche-prone areas till further orders.

The power supply was snapped in many parts of Kathua and Reasi districts. Staff of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) worked throughout the day to restore the power in Basohli of Kathua and Gulabgarh of Reasi. Power in many other areas was being restored till late Sunday evening.

As per the Meteorological Centre, in the past 24 hours at least 2-6 inches of snowfall has taken place in lower reaches and 8-12 inches in middle and higher reaches. The department has predicted dry weather from February 6 to 13.

The plains of Kashmir saw moderate snowfall while heavy snowfall has been reported in the higher reaches. Authorities are clearing snow from roads so that vehicular movement is possible. The traffic movement is slow as the roads are slippery. The snowfall has resulted in a rise in the minimum temperatures but the day temperatures have fallen in most places of the Valley.

As per the MeT department forecast, the weather is expected to improve in Kashmir from Tuesday onwards. (With inputs)

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