As snow and rain continued to lash Jammu and Kashmir for the second consecutive day on Saturday, weatherman predicted that weather would improve from Sunday.
A spokesman of Meteorological department said that western disturbance which had hit J&K has become “weak” and weather would improve from Sunday onwards.
He said famous ski-resort, Gulmarg recorded about three inches of fresh snow while upper reaches of Kashmir, including Kupwara, Zojila, Shopian, Gurez and several other areas also received fresh snowfall.
Plains across J&K received intermittent rain for the second consecutive day on Saturday. Kupwara recorded the highest rainfall of 51 mm, while Srinagar recorded 4.2 mm of rainfall.
An official said that Bhadarwah hills experienced fresh snowfall from early this morning and heavy rains lashed plains. Areas which experienced fresh snowfall in Bhadarwah, included Ashapati, Padri, Kailash Kund, Ram Tune, Kainthi, Lalu Paani and Chattar Gali.
Most of the town roads including Dak Banglow road remained waterlogged as drains were blocked due to no maintenance by the concerned authorities, said a resident.
Meanwhile, 260-km Srinagar-Jammu highway, which was closed for traffic for few hours on Saturday, was thrown open late in the afternoon.
“The Srinagar-Jammu highway is open,” senior superintendent of police, Traffic (Rural) Ajaz Ahmad Bhat told Greater Kashmir. He said the highway was closed due to landslides and shooting stones triggered by the rains at several places.
Stay alert, take precautionary measures: Javaid Mustafa Mir to officers
Meanwhile, minister for Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Javaid Mustafa Mir Saturday directed divisional and district disaster management authorities and all other line departments to take immediate precautionary measures in view of the inclement weather conditions in the State.
The Minister stressed for adequate emergency preparedness measures throughout the state so as to contain any potential damage to the minimum. He also directed to keep the residents of vulnerable areas informed regarding emergency procedures and ensure timely evacuations, wherever needed.
He directed divisional commissioner Kashmir to review the measures being taken at district level and also instructed commissioner SMC to ensure that dewatering stations are functional so that people don’t face difficulties due to water logging.
Mir also appreciated the role of various line departments keeping their men and machinery active 24×7. Keeping in view the condition of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, he said people must follow the traffic plan and confirm the condition of the road from various PCRs established at various places for their assistance before leaving for the journey.
In view of the Medium level avalanche warning in some areas and the recent loss of lives due to avalanches, he said, people living in these avalanche prone areas should be restricted to visit such areas and urged people to follow the Avalanche warnings and other alerts to keep themselves and others safe. The minister said that the department of DMRRR issues warnings/alerts beforehand so that precious lives could be saved.
(With Tahir Nadeem Khan Yusafzai from Bhaderwah)