Avalanche warning issued for 8 districts in next 24 hours
Jammu Tawi, Mar 14: The strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed for traffic on Thursday due to landslides at different places in the Ramban district.
“Fresh landslides have hit the highway at Dalwas, Cafeteria Morh and some other places. Clearance operation is going on. The highway is closed for traffic and travellers are advised to contact our control rooms in Jammu and Srinagar before undertaking the journey”, officials said.
The road remained open for two-way traffic on Wednesday.
All essential supplies of life are routed into the Valley through the Jammu-Srinagar highway and the temporary blockades of this highway often result in shortages of essentials in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Srinagar-Leh, Mughal Road, Sinthan-Kishtwar road and Doda-Chamba road are still closed for traffic.
The Meteorological (MeT) Department on Thursday forecast generally dry weather in J&K till March 20.
“Generally dry weather is expected in J&K till March 20 after which another wet spell is likely to occur between March 22 and March 24”, an official of the department said.
Srinagar had 4, Gulmarg minus 4.8 and Pahalgam minus 1.3 as the minimum temperature.
Leh town in Ladakh region had minus 3, Kargil minus 4.4 and Drass minus 6.7 as the minimum temperature.
Jammu city had 13.5, Katra 8.6, Batote 2.2, Bhaderwah 3.6 and Banihal 3 as the minimum temperature.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) on Thursday issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches of eight districts of J&K during the next 24 hours, officials said.
An avalanche with “medium danger” level is likely to occur above 2400 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts in Jammu division in the next 24 hours.
A similar warning has also been issued for the people living above 2400 metres in Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Baramulla districts of Kashmir valley during the next 24 hours.
People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders.
Upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir received a fresh snowfall on March 13 prompting authorities to issue a fresh avalanche warning as a precautionary measure for the people today.
The authorities have also asked the people living in these districts to dial 112 for help in case of any emergency.
