Jammu-Srinagar highway blocked due to rain-triggered landslides
Light snowfall was also experienced in some areas, including the cave shrine of Amarnath
SRINAGAR: The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was blocked after widespread rains lashed the region on Saturday.
Light snowfall was also experienced in the mountains, including the cave shrine of Amarnath in the Himalayas.
Officials said that rains were witnessed across the union territory bringing down day temperature by around 9°C in the Kashmir valley. The weather office in Srinagar said that the highest rainfall of 35.2 mm was recorded in the ski resort of Gulmarg in Kashmir during the day while Batote in Jammu region received 37.4 mm of rain. Srinagar saw 15.5 mm rains. However, Pahalgam in south Kashmir had recorded 22 mm rains during the night. Eyewitnesses said that snowfall was experienced in Afarwat mountains in Gulmarg in north Kashmir and on the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir. “There were rains while the upper reaches experienced some snow,” said meteorologist M Hussain Mir.
‘Weather to remain erratic for next 4 days’
Director meteorological department,
J&K and Ladakh, Sonam Lotus said that the weather is expected to remain erratic for the next four days in J&K and Ladakh. “The current weather is overcast with intermittent light to moderate rain and snow over hills at many places,” he said.
Heavy rains lash Jammu region, flash floods in Poonch school
JAMMU: Heavy rains lashed the plains of the Jammu region on Saturday that triggered a fresh landslide at Samroli in Udhampur district causing blockage of
the 278-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway, said officials. Heavy rains were also recorded in the hilly districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban and Doda region.
“Flash floods caused by a cloudburst inundated a KGV School in Loran area of Poonch district around 10.30 am. The flash floods caused panic among the children, who were rescued in time and shifted to a safer place,” said a school teacher.
Ramban district administration has also advised the people to stay away from rivers and rivulets in view of heavy rains.
“A fresh landslide, triggered by rains on Saturday blocked Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Udhampur district, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded”, said a police officer.
He said the men and machinery were pressed into service.
In another incident two cars suffered damage after being hit by rolling stones from a hillock overlooking the highway near Panthial in Ramban.
However, the passengers travelling in both the vehicles escaped unhurt.