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EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR/JAMMU, Jan 3: Incessant rains followed by heavy snowfall and slippery road conditions at Jawahar Tunnel forced authorities to close 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway-the only road link connecting Kashmir Valley with rest of the country-for all kind of vehicular movement here this afternoon.
“Authorities suspended traffic on national highway this afternoon owing to slippery conditions caused by heavy snowfall, leaving hundreds of vehicles and passengers stranded,” official sources said.
Sources further said that the traffic on the highway was suspended as a precautionary measure at around 1.10 pm as heavy snowfall between Qazigund to Banihal rendered the road slippery.
They added that it was still snowing heavily in the 45-km stretch including Jawahar Tunnel and so far over four inches of snow had accumulated on the ground.
“Inclement weather is hampering road clearance operations launched by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which maintains the highway. Entire men and machinery of BRO have started its snow clearance drive and if weather conditions improve, the road may be opened for vehicular movement tomorrow,” sources maintained.
Besides, the upper reaches in Kashmir Valley experienced fresh snowfall after the arrival of Western Disturbances (WD), resulting in improvement in night temperature while day became cold.
The WD, originating from Arabian Sea and entering the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, finally gave some respite from the cold weather in the Valley where the minimum temperature recorded yesterday was minus 4.8 Degrees Celsius.
“Light to moderate snowfall is expected across the valley during the next 12 hours,” said an official of the weather department here.
“Rain and snowfall are likely to replenish the perennial water reservoirs of the valley as the water level in most of the rivers had fallen down alarmingly because of the extended dry spell. This will improve the hydro-electric power generating capacity of the projects,” official sources maintained.
A hotel owner said over phone from world famous Ski resort of Gulmarg that there was fresh snowfall on the slopes today. It started snowing at 0900 hrs on the slopes much to the delight of tourists who had come from different parts of the country.
However, upper reaches, including Appharwat and Khelanmmarg, experienced about six inches of snow since early this morning, ending the long dry spell.
Reports of snowfall were also received from Gurez, Machhil, Tanghdar, Sadhna Top and Rezdan Pass.
The other upper reaches in the north Kashmir also recorded fresh snowfall last evening. A report from Pahalgam said it started snowing in the tourist spot at 1030 hrs. The holy Amaranth Cave and its periphery also experienced snowfall. It was also snowing at Panchtrni, Sheshnag, Pisso Top and Mahaguns.
The other upper reaches in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian also received snowfall. The minimum temperature improved considerably in Srinagar and other adjoining areas.
Against yesterday’s minimum temperature of -4.8 degress it was -1.2 today. Similarly, the minimum temperature has also improved in other areas of the Kashmir Valley.
In Jammu region, upper reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Ramban and Kishtwar districts experienced heavy snowfall as plains were lashes by rains. Similarly, the temperature at the cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishano Devi on Trikuta hills in Reasi district also plunged. “'It might start snowing here anytime as its quite cold and raining since early morning,” Police sources said.
Normal life was also affected in Doda, Ramban and Kisthtwar districts due to snowfall and intense cold wave condition.
Meanwhile, the 434 km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway remained closed for winter season due to heavy snowfall. As many as 43 passengers were airlifted from Kargil to Srinagar in AN-32 Air Force plane yesterday.
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