SRINAGAR, April 19: From rains to hailstorm and from high velocity winds to strong earthquake, Kashmir witnessed all nature’s fury on a same day.
Higher reaches of Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall on Saturday while the plains were lashed by the intermittent rainfall, bringing a dip in temperatures.
While Jammu-Srinagar highway is open for traffic, other key roads, including Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumuri (SSG) road that connects Srinagar to Leh , Bandipora –Gurez road in north Kashmir, Mughal road which connects south Kashmir with Pir Panjal region of Jammu division, Sinthan road that connects Anantnag with Kishtwar are temporarily closed due to snow accumulation.
Officials said traffic on these roads will be allowed after getting green signal from road maintenance agencies as per advisory.
Amid inclement weather conditions, authorities in Bandipora district suspended classwork up to Class VIII in Tulail and up to Class 5th in Tehsil Gurez on Saturday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students.
In Kashmir, several districts received significant precipitation, with the tourist resort of Gulmarg recording the highest rainfall.
According to the data from the Meteorological Department, Gulmarg in north Kashmir received 35.2 mm of rain, followed closely by Kokarnag in south Kashmir with 33.2 mm, Kupwara with 20 mm, and Qazigund with 27.4 mm. Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded 18.3 mm of rainfall. In the Jammu division, Batote received 15.4 mm of rain- the highest in the region.
MeT said Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms over the next 24 hours. During this period, isolated areas may witness heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph.
The downpour brought a significant drop in temperatures across Kashmir. In the Kashmir division, most places recorded minimum temperatures 1°C to 4°C above normal. The ski resort of Gulmarg emerged as the coldest spot in the Valley, recording a minimum of 1.4°C.
In the Jammu division, night temperatures were even warmer, ranging 1°C to 7°C above normal. Bhaderwah recorded the lowest temperature in the division at 11.2°C.
Most parts of Kashmir also witnessed thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds. According to officials, some areas also received hail, resulting in damage to orchard production. The Met Office has also warned of the possibility of landslides, mudslides, or shooting stones at vulnerable places.
Additionally, panic gripped the people after a strong earthquake jolted Kashmir on Saturday.
People came out of their houses and started praying as tremors shook the houses. The tremors lasted for several seconds and were widely felt across the Valley. Residents took to social media to report the shaking, with many describing the experience as “strong enough to cause panic.”
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri chaired an emergency meeting in view of relentless rains to assess the overall situation and the damages caused to crops and structures by winds & hailstorm.
Taking cognizance of various reports of damage to crops in Shopian district by hailstorm, and other minor damages to structures by wind in other places, Div Com directed concerned Deputy Commissioners to immediately provide relief to the affected persons following proper guidelines.
At the outset, the Irrigation & Flood Control Department shared the data of water level in different water channels & tributaries of Jhelum and dispelled any imminent threat of flood in the valley.
However, to address water logging issues in the city, Bidhuri instructed SMC for deployment & operation of dewatering pumps wherever required.
While reviewing the supply of essential services, he also directed CE KPDCL for the immediate restoration of affected lines & repair of transformers.
He also reviewed availability of essentials including food grains, LPG and Oil in the valley for the convenience of the general public.
To ensure safety of passengers, Div Com directed Traffic Police to issue advisory regarding traffic movement on hazardous or risky roads especially Gurez road, Mughal road, Sinthan Top, Razdan Top and other roads & passes so no one remains stranded.
Div Com also directed Health Department for smooth functioning of hospitals & other healthcare institutions to render uninterrupted medical services and treatment to patients.
Baramulla Administration issued a precautionary advisory to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
The advisory has been issued with a focus on preparedness and public awareness.
Due to continuous rainfall, water levels in various water bodies, including Ferozpora Nallah, Ningli Nallah, Jhelum River, Pohru Nallah, and other local streams, have increased. Residents in low-lying and water-accumulation-prone areas such as Tangmarg, Pattan, Sopore, Rafiabad, and parts of Uri are advised to stay alert and observe necessary precautions.
People have been advised to avoid going near Nallahs, canals and other water bodies during this period. It is also recommended to stay updated with local weather information and maintain regular contact with local authorities in case of any assistance.
For queries or help, residents may contact the following helpline numbers: District Control Room: 01952-234343
The District Administration Baramulla urges the public to cooperate and follow advisories issued from time to time for collective safety and preparedness.
Meanwhile, 22 families have been shifted as a precautionary measure due to the lurking threat of a landslide in the Kishtwar district, a government official said.
District Development Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan conducted an inspection of the landslide-prone area at Singrah Nallah, Patharnaki along the Kishtwar-Peddar Road with a focus on assessing the vulnerability of the area to landslides and evaluating the progress of mitigation measures in place.