Chopper service to Mata Vaishnodevi suspended
*Vehicle trapped in avalanche on Mughal Road rescued
Gopal Sharma/
Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, Mar 19: All the passengers trapped in a vehicle under avalanche near Pir Ki Gali on Mughal Road in Poonch were rescued by Army and GREF men, while tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, along with several areas in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, experienced fresh snowfall, while the plains were affected by light to moderate rain since early hours today.
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Official sources said that Gulmarg, located in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, and Sonamarg, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, received fresh snowfall, which was ongoing intermittently until the last reports were received.
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Officials stated that approximately six to seven inches of fresh snow had accumulated at the Gulmarg resort since the previous day.
Other higher-altitude areas also reported fresh snowfall, including Pir Ki Gali along the Mughal Road, as well as Razdan Top, Gurez in Bandipora, and Sadhna Top in Kupwara. Most upper regions of the valley have experienced intermittent snowfall since Sunday.
Reports from Poonch said a prompt and coordinated action by the Traffic Police and the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) led to the successful rescue of a trapped passengers in a Scorpio vehicle in avalanche on Mughal Road near Pir ki Gali in Poonch area after the road was blocked amid rainfall in the upper reaches.
Due to sudden inclement weather conditions caused disruption of vehicular movement on the historic Mughal Road, leaving a vehicle stranded in a vulnerable stretch under avalanche. Acting swiftly on the information, teams from Traffic Police and GREF reached the spot and undertook immediate measures to ensure the safety of the passengers and clearance of the road.
Despite challenging weather and difficult terrain, the rescue operation was carried out efficiently, and the stranded passengers were safely evacuated. The road clearance work was also initiated to restore normal traffic movement.
It was raining in most parts of Jammu region since early morning today. With the rain all over the region and snowfall on the higher reaches of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Udbhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch, the temperature has considerably dropped. It was raining in Jammu even during late this evening.
The valley, including Srinagar, were affected by heavy rain. The officials noted that this wet weather has resulted in lower temperatures across the region.
The snowfall and rains led to a drop in the maximum temperatures across the region. Srinagar recorded 9.5 Degree Celsius, Qazigund 9.4 Degree Celsius, Pahalgam 7.0 Degree Celsius, Kupwara 9.4 Degree Celsius, Kokernag 8.4 Degree Celsius and Gulmarg 2.5 which was 6.5 Degree Celsius, 6.1 Degree Celsius, 5.9 Degree Celsius, 6.8 Degree Celsius, 6.7 Degree Celsius and 3.3 below normal respectively for these places for this time of the year.
Winter capital Jammu recorded a day temperature of 20.2 degrees Celsius and night temperature of 14.4 degrees; Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a maximum temperature of 18,0 deg C and minimum 11.4 deg; Bhaderwah town a maximum temperature of 11.4 deg and minimum 4.8 deg C; Batote a day temperature of 9.2 deg and night temperature of 6.5; Banihal a day temperature of 8.3 deg C and night temperature of 5.8 deg C; Udhampur town a night temperature of 12,2 deg C, Samba 13.1 deg C; Rajouri 10.3, Kishtwar 6.1 deg while Doda registered a night temperature of 8.4 deg C on Thursday. Gulmarg recorded a lowest night temperature of -1.4 deg C in the JKUT while Reasi the highest day temperature of 21.0 deg C, equivalent to Mirpur in Pak occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The Meteorological Department has forecast erratic weather conditions until March 20. It indicated the possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain or snow across most areas until Friday. The higher reaches of the Chenab valley and regions in south Kashmir may experience moderate to heavy snowfall.
The MeT Office anticipated generally dry weather from March 21-24, but mentioned a chance of a brief spell of rain or snow in some areas on March 23.
From March 26-28, there is a likelihood of light rain or snow, particularly in higher altitudes, while another spell of rain or snow is expected from March 29-31.
Additionally, there could be occurrences of thunder and gusty winds, reaching speeds of 40-50 km/h, in some areas, with a possibility of isolated hailstorms.
The MeT office advised farmers to resume agricultural operations after March 21.
Chopper service and Battery car operation to Mata Vaishnodevi remained suspended throughout the day today while Yatra continued despite rain. The vehicular movement on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway continued despite light to moderate rain throughout the day today. Traffic movement on Batote-Kishtwar aroad and Jammu-Poonch highway also remained uninterrupted.
Mughal Road, connecting Shopian area of Kashmir valley with Rajouri-Poonch in Jammu region; Sinthan Top connecting Kishtwar with Anantnag and Chhatrgalla Pass connecting Bani-Basohli area with Bhaderwah in Doda district have been closed due to fresh snowfall.
Pir Ki Gali area was cleared by the GREF during the day today and the authorities allowed movement of vehicles. But a light avalanche hit the road in which a Scorpio vehicle was trapped. The road was closed after this incident.
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