Weather Office Issues Caution for Avalanche-Prone Areas
SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, Mar 2: The high altitude areas of Kashmir and Jammu regions recorded fresh snowfall, while the plains including the summer capital city were lashed by rains on second consecutive day on Saturday, resulting in appreciable drop in the temperature.
Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said several parts of Kashmir including Gurez, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Sadhna Top, Razdan Pass, Chowkibal Kupwara and Machil received snowfall. However, the intermittent light rains lashed plains of Kashmir including Srinagar.
Reports said, it has been raining since Friday afternoon heavily in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir while it is snowing heavily in the hills.
Reports further said that a few places experienced thunder, lightning, hailstorm accompanied by gusty winds also.
A Meteorological department official told Kashmir Despatch that widespread moderate rain or snow is expected over most places of the Union Territory till March 3 with peak activity on March 2 night.
“Few places may experience heavy to very heavy snow particularly over higher reaches of north, central and south Kashmir and Pir Panjal range of Jammu division during this period.
“The plains of Kashmir may receive moderate rain or snow while the plains of Jammu may receive moderate rain with a possibility of heavy rain over Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi districts.
He said few places may experience thunder, lightning or hailstorms accompanied by gusty winds,”.
However, he said that there is a possibility of light rain and snow at scattered places during the night of March 6 and 7. “The weather will remain dry after that till March 10,” he said.
According to the meteorological department, 38.1 cm of snowfall has been recorded at the tourist resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district since Friday.
It said that Srinagar got 20.5 mm of rain, Qazigund 45.4 mm, Pahalgam 27.5 mm, Kupwara 60.6 mm, Kokarnag 30.4 mm, and Gulmarg 62.0 mm of rain in the last 24 hours.
The night temperature rose by some notches in several parts of Kashmir. In this regard, the weather official has issued an advisory, saying that in view of heavy to very heavy snowfall over few middle and higher reaches, the travelers, tourists are advised to plan accordingly and follow administration, traffic police advisory.
“General public over hilly areas are advised not to venture in avalanche prone and sloppy areas. Follow avalanche warnings and advisories,” the advisory read, adding that there are chances of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at few places he said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority on Saturday issued a medium-danger level avalanche warning for multiple districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Avalanche with Medium Danger Level is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Resai, Anantnag and Kulgam districts in next 24 hours,” reads an advisory.
Further avalanche with higher danger level is likely to occur above 2200 metres over Kupwars, Ganderbal, Bandioora and Baramulla districts in next 24 hours.
“People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders,” the advisory reads.
In case of any help, the authority can be reached at 112 the advisory reads. Reports reaching Kashmir Despatch said that a strong windstorm swept across South Kashmir on Saturday morning, damaging several structures in the Verinag area of Anantnag district. Additionally, four residential houses were also damaged in Kishtwar district due to heavy rains.
Similar damages have been reported from different areas of Kashmir, as well as the Jammu region. According to reports, approximately 150 structures were damaged in Ramban district. However, no loss of life or any other injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed due to multiple landslides triggered by incessant rains.
A traffic official told Kashmir Despatch that the landslides occurred between the Banihal and Ramban sectors, causing significant disruption to the flow of traffic.
The situation was further exacerbated by heavy rainfall along the entire stretch of the highway, making travel even more perilous.
The official also advised people to avoid traveling on the NH-44 until the weather conditions improve and the road is cleared of debris.
He said Kishtwar-Dachhan also road blocked due to landslides and traffic movement from both sides have been stopped.
The official further said that Sonamarg-Leh road is also blocked at (Zojila pass) due to Snow accumulation. The official said the flight operations to and from the Valley were normal on Saturday.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
