Chopper service to SMVD shrine suspended
Gopal Sharma/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Feb 20: Fresh snowfall was recorded today in several higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, including tourist resorts, while the plain areas of the region were lashed by rain, ending the prolonged dry spell across the region and raising the hopes of a reduction in the high rainfall deficit in the UT.
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Due to fresh snowfall in Banihal and Qazigund area, the authorities closed busy Jammu-Srinagar National Highway this evening and also suspended the movement of oil and gas tankers through Jawahar Tunnel and Patnitop section of the highway. A large number of vehicles have been stranded in Ramban, Nashri and Chenani section of the highway besides Qazigund and Anantnag area, the officials said.
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Trikuta hills of Mata Vaishnodevi received fresh snowfall today while due to snowfall and rains the helicopter and battery car service remained suspended today. However, on-foot journey of the pilgrims continued despite rain.
Famous tourist resorts of Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar and Bhaderwah, besides Dudu and Latti area also received fresh snowfall today. About 3-4 inch snowfall was recorded at Nathatop and Patnitop. The rain and snowfall brought down the temperature in the region.
SSP Traffic National Highway, Rohit Baskotra said that due to snowfall, the highway in Banihal and Ramsoo area became slippery. It was also snowing towards the north portal of the Tunnel. For the precautionary measures and safety of the passengers besides other road users, the highway was closed this evening. The traffic will be restored tomorrow morning after road clearance, he added.
Meanwhile, the hills of Kashmir today received snowfall and the Valley was lashed by rains ending the prolonged dry spell across the region.
Several areas of Kashmir including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Doodhpathri and Sonamarg today received snowfall while the rains lashed plains, bringing down the mercury and ending the prolonged dry spell across the region.
Sonamarg and Doodhpathri received one feet of snowfall today while several other areas in South Kashmir also experienced light snowfall. The Valley was lashed by the rains ending the long dry spell.
The Meteorological Department Srinagar said the weather is expected to improve from tomorrow. “Partly cloudy weather is expected from February 21 to 23 while on February 24 and 25, generally cloudy weather with possibility of light rain and snow expected at scattered places”.
Director Meteorological department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that from February 26 to 28, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain and snow at many places.
The first 50-days of the year 2025 Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed a rainfall deficit of 83 percent thus posing a risk of severe water scarcity in the coming months.
“From January 1, 2025 to February 19, 2025, J&K has recorded a rainfall of just 29.8 mm against the normal precipitation of 175.8 mm. i.e. only the 17% precipitation.”
Meanwhile, all the major highways across Kashmir have been blocked following a fresh spell of snowfall and rainfall, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway while the authorities said that restoration work has been started to clear the roads.
Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road remained closed due to continuous snowfall. “A decision on resuming vehicular movement on this route will be taken tomorrow after receiving clearance from road maintenance agencies,” an official said.
The Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Road is also lying closed for vehicular movement, besides Mughal Road, due to heavy snow accumulation. These roads will be opened to traffic after taking a decision in this regard by the higher authorities, officials said.
The plains of the valley, including Srinagar, were lashed by intermittent rains. The wet weather spell along with the forecast of more precipitation have raised hopes among the people of reducing the high rainfall deficit in Kashmir.
Kashmir has witnessed a mostly dry winter this year with the months of January and February recording a precipitation deficit of around 80 per cent.
Reports from district Reasi said that helicopter and ropeway service at the Vaishno Devi shrine remained suspended on Thursday as high-altitude areas of Jammu experienced snowfall while the plains, including Jammu city, Akhnoor, Samba, Kathua etc were lashed by rains, ending a prolonged dry spell.
Jammu division had recorded an 83 per cent rainfall deficit since the beginning of the new year and the change in the weather came as a big relief for the people, especially the farmers.
The officials said the helicopter service from Katra to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district was suspended this morning due to “bad weather”.
The ropeway from Bhavan to Bhairon temple was also not operated as a precautionary measure due to continuous rains.
However, the pilgrimage to the shrine continued without any disruption. The battery car service was also disrupted for several hours.
The hills surrounding the shrine were covered by snow, providing a spectacular view to the devotees who walked from base camp Katra to the shrine, the officials said.
They said Patnitop hill resort and other areas in Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Gool, Dudu- Basantgarh and Sarthal in Kathua also experienced snowfall.
The reports of snowfall were also received from Peer Ki Gali, Dera Gali in Poonch Rajouri and adjoining areas along Mughal road in Poonch district.
The normal life in Jammu was disrupted as water logging was observed many city areas after rain, resulting in a considerable drop in the day temperature.
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