Rain lashes plains of Jammu, Sgr; fresh snowfall in higher reaches

Sinthan, Pir Ki Gali passes shut, temp dips

Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari

JAMMU/SRINAGAR, May 31: Rain lashed the plain areas of Jammu and Kashmir while higher reaches experienced fresh snowfall, and the Kishtwar-Sinthan- Kokernag and Mughal Road have been closed for vehicles.

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Helicopter service to Mata Vaishnodevi shrine from the base camp Katra remained suspended for long due to bad weather while a sharp fall has been experienced in the temperature in plain areas of Kashmir and Jammu.
The fresh snowfall was recorded in the higher reaches of Tulail and Razdan Top in Gurez Valley in Bandipora district of North Kashmir, along with Pir Ki Gali. Over 150 vehicles were stranded in Pir Ki Gali area which were made to move back by the Traffic Police authorities.
At Chattergalla Pass on Bhaderwah-Bani-Basohli road, fresh snowfall was reported during last night. The road was, however, cleared by this evening by the GREF authorities. Over hundred vehicles were stranded at Sinthan Top which were cleared by this afternoon by the authorities.
Meanwhile, Cloudburst hit the mountainous Kishtwar district late this evening between Ganipora and Kayar at Magswan Forest area.
There was no immediate report of loss of any human life in the incident but about 130 sheep and goats were washed away in flash floods.
Local Police and volunteers were on job till last reports.
The washed away animals belonged to Ab Wahid, son of Zehar; Mohd Iqbal, son of Zehar; Ab Gani, son of Mian; Mohd Shafi, son of Mahmood; Jameel, son of Mahmood and Rafayat, son of Mahmood-all residents of Danna Basantpur in Kathua.
The Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway also witnessed the fresh spell of snowfall in the Kashmir division, the sources adding, “In the Jammu region, higher reaches in Bhaderwah and Kishtwar also recorded the fresh snowfall, thus dropping down the temperature, which was notching 4 to 5 degrees above the normal.”
The rains, however, lashed Kashmir since last night, bringing down the mercury in the region.
The region amidst the fresh wet spell has witnessed cold days with Srinagar recording a maximum temperature of 14.5 degree Celsius, which was 12.2 degree Celsius below than normal.
Qazigund recorded 13.0 degree Celsius, which was 12.6 degree Celsius below normal while Pahalgam recorded 8.2 degree Celsius and 14.8 degree Celsius below normal.
Kokernag, Kupwara and Gulmarg have recorded a maximum temperature of 12.0 degree Celsius, 12.8 degree Celsius and 6.8 degree Celsius, respectively.
Many areas of Jammu region have experienced sharp fall in temperature. It was pleasant weather during this evening in Jammu.
The MeT office said that light to moderate rain/thundershowers were reported at most places in the region today.
“There were intermittent spells of light to moderate rain, light snow over isolated higher reaches, thunder at most places with moderate to heavy rain accompanied with intense showers/gusty winds at few places today,” he said.
He, however, said that between June 1 and 2 there will be brief spell of light rain/thundershower at isolated places in the region.
“Between June 4 and 6, generally dry weather will prevail in the region with brief spell of rain/showers towards late afternoon at isolated places and between June 7 and 8 brief spell of rain/thundershowers will occur at scattered places towards afternoon,” he said.
The snowfall has led to the closure of multiple roads across Kashmir including Mughal Road and SSG Road while an advisory has been issued for Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44).
The National Highway-44 remained open for two-way passenger traffic today even as heavy rainfall lashed the region.
An official from the Traffic Police department said that despite the inclement weather, passenger traffic is moving smoothly in both directions on NH-44.
“HMVs have been allowed to move from Jammu towards Srinagar. However, the entire highway stretch has witnessed heavy rain, which has made the road slippery at several points,” the official said.
He added that commuters have been advised to strictly follow lane discipline and avoid overtaking to prevent congestion and possible accidents.
Regarding the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road and Sinthan Top Road, the official said traffic movement is stopped and the clearance operation is ongoing.
The road will be operational again after receiving clearance and a green signal from road maintenance agencies. “Currently, no movement on these roads is permitted until the roads are cleared, and for that, operations are ongoing by the concerned agencies,” he said.
A MeT official today said that during 24 hours, light to moderate rain lashed with thundershowers at most places. Poonch, Samba, Jammu and Kathua recorded rainfall with gusty winds.
He said that there will be intermittent spells of light to moderate rain, light snow over isolated higher reaches, thunder at most places with moderate to heavy rain accompanied with intense showers, and gusty winds at a few places.
“There is a possibility of landslides and mudslides at a few vulnerable places and the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway , and intense showers may generate flash floods at isolated places,” he added.
Report from Rajouri said that due to heavy rainfall, the house of Muneer Hussain, son of Abdul, a resident of Hasplot, Thannamandi suffered severe damage. The torrential downpour led to the collapse of the house, resulting in the tragic death of a goat and a sheep belonging to the family.
Muneer, who hails from an economically weaker background, now faces immense hardship due to the loss of his livestock and the damage to his home. The affected family is struggling to recover from this unfortunate incident.
Local residents of Hasplot have come forward in support of the family and have made a collective appeal to the district administration to assess the damage and provide adequate financial assistance/compensation to the family.

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