Earthquake Jolts Kashmir
Director Horticulture Kashmir issues advisory to orchardists in wake of heavy snowfall
DC Srinagar reviews snow clearance, response system
Faisal Malik
Srinagar, Jan 04 : Kashmir Valley was cut off from the rest of the country on consecutive second day on Monday as heavy snowfall forced closure of arterial Srinagar-Jammu national highway and led to the cancellation of all flights going in and out of the summer capital.
Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said that snowfall which started on Sunday wee hours disrupted normal life in the Valley.
The snowfall led to the closure of many roads, including the 300-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway — the only road linking Kashmir with rest of the country since past two days.
Hundreds of goods and passenger vehicles coming from Jammu to Kashmir are stranded at various places between Udhampur and Banihal.
Around 200 passenger vehicles were stopped at safe places in Banihal sub-division.
The historic Mughal Road, which connects Shopian district of Kashmir with Poonch district of Jammu province, has been closed to traffic for nearly three weeks reports added.
Reports further said that many far-flung areas of the Valley also remained cut off from the mainland due to heavy snowfall, or at some places due to uncleared of snow on roads.
An official at Weather department Srinagar told Kashmir Despatch over the phone that “Weather is expected to improve from Thursday onwards,”.
He said Gulmarg received about 5 inches of fresh snowfall. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received moderate snowfall.
The mercury at Gulmarg, which is known for its ski slopes and quality of snow, improved over 2 degrees from Saturday and settled at minus 5 degree, about 2 degree above normal.
The night temperature in the city improved over 4 degrees from Saturday due to overcast conditions and settled at minus 1.5 degree, which is slightly above normal.
Meanwhile, An official at the Srinagar International Airport said the snowfall resulted in cancellation of all flights to and from the state’s summer capital.
“We have cleared the runway but the bad weather led to the cancellation of all the flights scheduled on Monday also,” the official said.
Menawhile, Mild tremors were felt in Kashmir Valley on Monday morning.
The Earthquake measured 3.5 on the Richter scale and had a depth of five kilometers.
The epicenter of the quake was in Bandipora area of north Kashmir and the tremors were felt in parts of north and central Kashmir at 10:58 am, official sources said.
In wake of heavy snowfall in Kashmir, Director Horticulture Kashmir Aijaz Ahmed Bhat on Monday asked the Orchardists to remove excess water from their orchards and remove snow from the tree branches gently.
Bhat in an audio message advisory addressed to the orchardists, he said, “Clear water channels and drains to ensure complete drainage from the orchards. Shake trees gently to remove snow immediately from their branches and crotches. Shake newly planted trees to prevent damage to new roots as they take a couple of years to anchor firmly in the soil. If the fruit trees tilt, reduce the canopy load by pruning, and provide proper support. If the trees get partially uprooted, slowly pull back the trees to the original position after heavy pruning and provide proper support staking to the main trunk,” he said.
If roots become exposed, naked, immediately cover the roots with soil to avoid further damage, he added.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Shahid Choudhary along with Chief Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Department, Abdul Rashid Dar monitored the progress of snow clearance and visited the central control room and workshop to assess response system for snow clearance in the district.
The machinery and equipment deployed more than 1250KM main roads in District Srinagar includes 30 snow ploughs, 13 Snow cats, 23 truck mounted machines , 6 tippers / dumpers and a fleet of smaller vehicles. The MED is entrusted with snow clearance from all main roads in the district. The Deptt also deputed two Hydraulic / LRV cranes for recovering any damaged machines during the operation.
The DC sanctioned Rs 15 Lakh for better facilities , heating and food arrangements as well as protective equipment for staff deployed at central control room and round the clock duty of snow clearance as per roster. He also visited the workshop of the department , control room and staff accommodation to assess the facilities. The district administration is augmenting the resources for effective support to field staff for snow clearance and ensuring better facilities.
He appreciated the engineers, staff and field workers of MED for their exemplary response system and putting in best efforts for timely and effective snow clearance.
Chief Engineer MED Abdul Rashid Dar informed that Pre-positioning of machines at vital locations and early start of operations helped in timely clearance of snow from all areas. He also have the details of staff deployed and further requirements for effective operations.
Meanwhile , PMGSY machinery was deployed in snow clearance from respective rural roads. The PMGSY work plan is restricted to departmental roads while all PWD roads are being cleared through MED.
Earlier, the DC reviewed the snow clearance response system with Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers of PWD and PMGSY. ADC Syed Hanief Balkhi and Jt Director Planning Mohammad Yaseen Lone were also present.
Pertinently the lanes and by lanes are cleared of snow by Srinagar Municipal Corporation in the city area , covering around 900KM cumulative length of lanes /by lanes while MED is entrusted with all major roads.
