* 2000 vehicles stranded on highway
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 19: A bizarre scene was witnessed in Jammu areas as thick black clouds brought total darkness during the mid-day, while rain, snowfall and landslides blocked Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and several other roads . Flash flood in Poonch river again washed away a portion of Sher-e-Kashmir bridge today, snapping main land link to Poonch city.
Kashmir valley remained cut off from rest of the country today due to heavy snowfall while rain continued to lash entire Valley since early morning but the weather in the evening showed little improvement.
The continuous rain in Jammu region since yesterday has paralysed normal life, forcing people to stay inside. Due to inclement weather and poor visibility, four flights were cancelled while helicopter service to Mata Vaishnodevi shrine from Katra base camp remained suspended today. Jawahar Tunnel area of Banihal and other higher reaches in Poonch, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar witnessed fresh snowfall. About 8 to 10 inch snowfall was recorded in Jawahar Tunnel area this evening.
Reports from Ramban said that due to fresh landslides in Gangroo area of Ramsu, where highway remained closed during September last rains and floods, the Jammu-Srinagar Highway was again blocked this evening. It said that at Seri near Ramban, the fresh landslides occurred and shooting stones at Panthial forced the authorities to close the National Highway at around 5.30 pm. About 300 light, medium and heavy passenger vehicles were reported to have been stranded between Magarkote, Ramsu and Ramban. The number of goods carriers may be more than 500. At Digdol also fresh landslides have taken place and there are bleak chances of reopening of highway by tomorrow, the reports added.
Reports from Poonch said that a portion of Sher-e-Kashmir bridge which was temporarily restored with the help of Army and BRO near Poonch city after September 2014 floods, was again washed away in flash flood during early hours today. The main link to Poonch and several other villages in the area has been snapped. The movement of traffic has now been diverted to Kalai bridge via Poonch-Mandi road.
Interestingly after massive devastation during September 2014 floods in Poonch, no protection work was taken up by the Administration at the site, resulting in the washing away of the bridge again. The flood water also entered several houses in the locality near the river bank but many structures/ houses have already been abandoned by the people with the initiative of the District Administration. Due to continuous heavy rain throughout the night, flash flood in the Poonch river and several nallas was witnessed during morning. Several link roads in the area have been closed due to blockade.
In Jammu city, a rare scene was witnessed between 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm. Amidst rain and thunder-storm total darkness was witnessed in Jammu areas. The vehicles were seen plying on the roads with full head lights on as it was pitch dark on the roads. Similar scene was said to be witnessed in most of the areas of Jammu and Samba districts. There was hailstorm in many plain areas and Kandi belt of Jammu, Samba and Kathua which also caused damage to the oil seed crop.
Jammu recorded 20 mm rain since 5 pm today while maximum temperature has gone nearly 3 degree low as compared to last two days. The night temperature has also witnessed a little fall in last two days. Higher reached of Poonch including Dera Gali, Loran, Mughal Road, Budhan and Thannamandi in Rajouri, Doda, Bhaderwah, Ramban, Natha Top, Sanasar and Patnitop and Kishtwar witnessed fresh snowfall. Ramnagar- Dudu-Basantgarh, Mahore-Sungari- Chasana, Gulabgarh, and many link roads in Doda and Reasi have been closed.
An official spokesman said that four flights were cancelled in Jammu due to bad weather and poor visibility. He said two flights of Go Air, one Spice Jet and another Indigo could not operate from Jammu airport today. Many passengers specially Mata Vaishnodevi pilgrims, had to face tough time being stranded at the airport for long. Later, they were accommodated by the Airlines companies.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police, Traffic, Muneer Ahmad Khan told the Excelsior that snowfall and heavy rains along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway led to its closure. He said that around 2000 vehicles are stranded on the highway between Udhampur and Banihal.
Khan said that 700 vehicles crossed the Jawahar Tunnel towards Kashmir this morning before it was closed for traffic. He said that around 2 feet snow accumulated between Lower Munda in Qazigund and Nowgam in Banihal. He said that snowfall on either side of the Tunnel and shooting stones at Panthial and Gangroo in Ramsu led to the closure of the highway. He said that highway will remain closed tomorrow and only the stranded vehicles will be cleared .
Reports said that there was huge traffic jam at Ramban this morning as Army closed the highway for over two hours due to suspected IED on the highway near Ramban. However, later it was found that there was no IED.
The air traffic to Srinagar also remained disrupted today due to heavy snowfall in Srinagar throughout the day. An official said that several flights could not took off from Srinagar airport due to snowfall today.
Director Meteorological department Srinagar, Sonam Lotus, told Excelsior that there will be significant improvement in weather after heavy snowfall and rains today. He said that light rain and snowfall will occur for next 24 hours at isolated places. He, however, said that between February 23 evening and February 24 evening there would be good amount of rains and snowfall in Kashmir valley.
“There has been heavy snowfall in Pir Panjal mountain range and in many other places of the higher reaches of the Valley since last night,” Lotus said.
The heavy snowfall was recorded in hills today while in Valley there was moderate snowfall. Gulmarg received 3 feet, Afarwath 3.5 feet and Kangdoori 4 feet of snowfall today brining cheer to the skiers who are making a beeline at Gulmarg.
Around 2 feet of snowfall was recorded in Pir Panjal mountains in South Kashmir and in Jawahar Tunnel area. One feet of snow accumulated at Pahalgam and 4 inches of snow was recorded in South Kashmir while Srinagar recorded 2 inches of snowfall.
The continuous snowfall led to water logging in many parts of Srinagar including Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Tulsibagh, Allochibagh, Batmaloo, Bemina, Shalteng, Umarabad Zainakote, Chanpora, Natipora and Mehjoor Nagar. People in some parts of the city complained that around two feet water has accumulated on the roads at various places. They demanded immediate de-watering of these areas.
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