JKDMA issues avalanche alert

Srinagar, Jan 2: The authorities Thursday issued an avalanche alert in north Kashmir's Bandipora district that witnessed fresh snowfall while the Meteorological Department predicted another spell of snowfall from Sunday.

“Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2400 meters over Bandipora in the next 24 hours. The general public is advised to avoid venturing along the avalanche path and dial 112 for any emergency,” a spokesman of the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) said in a statement issued here.

While some upper reaches and plains experienced fresh snowfall during Wednesday night, Kashmir is set to witness another spell of moderate to heavy snowfall this week as the weather forecasters predict the current Western Disturbance might intensify on Sunday.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) warned of avalanches, landslides, and shooting stones, particularly in the higher reaches, which might disrupt surface and air traffic on January 5 and January 6 in J&K.

The fresh snowfall last night blanketed parts of J&K on Wednesday and brought some respite from the winter chill.

North Kashmir’s Kupwara and Bandipora districts received four inches of snow, Baramulla saw 2 to 4 inches, and Sopore and Handwara reported 3 to 4 inches, while central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district recorded 1 to 2 inches of snow.

The snowfall disrupted road connectivity in several areas.

Efforts are underway to restore access, but the MeT cautioned that more snow in the coming days could worsen travel conditions.

At the same time, Kashmir continues to shiver under subzero temperatures.

Gulmarg and Larnoo recorded lows of minus 8.6 degrees Celsius, making them the coldest spots in Kashmir.

Srinagar registered a minimum of minus 2.6 degrees Celsius while south Kashmir’s Anantnag dipped to minus 6.2 degrees Celsius.

The Zojila Pass remained the coldest in the region, with a bone-chilling minus 22 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, temperatures were relatively milder but still chilly.

Jammu city recorded a low of 7.4 degrees Celsius, Banihal 2.9 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Katra town offered some respite with a minimum temperature of 9 degrees Celsius.

The Ladakh region continued to endure harsh conditions, with Leh and Drass both recording minus 7.8 degrees Celsius and Kargil plunging to minus 8.2 degrees Celsius.

Despite the challenging weather, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for two-way traffic.

However, the authorities urged the commuters to follow lane discipline, avoid overtaking, and travel during daylight hours, particularly between Ramban and Banihal, where landslides and shooting stones remain a big concern.

Meanwhile, roads like the SSG Road, Bhaderwah-Chamba Road, Mughal Road, and Sinthan Road are closed due to heavy snow accumulation.

The weather forecast for heavy snow on January 5 and 6 has raised concerns about further disruptions, especially in the higher altitudes.

The 40-day-long period of intense winter ‘Chillai Kalan’ started in Kashmir on December 21 and would end on January 29.

The MeT has forecast generally dry cloudy weather from January 7 to 10.

Given the fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperatures and icy conditions over roads (plains and higher reaches), tourists, travellers and transporters are advised to plan accordingly and follow administration or traffic advisory.

Most lakes and other water bodies are presently frozen partially in the Valley.

The doctors have advised people not to expose themselves to long periods of cold.

Children and elderly people have been especially warned to guard themselves against cold which constricts blood vessels, resulting in myocardial infarction.

Tarique Raheem reports from Kupwara

The people in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district Thursday woke up to find the entire area covered in a thick blanket of snow, bringing respite to the people, especially the farmers.

The snowfall which started overnight continued till late evening with around 6 to 7 inches of snow getting accumulated in the plains while 8 to 12 inches of snow was recorded in the upper reaches.

Due to the accumulation of more than 1-foot fresh snow in the upper reaches, several areas remained cut off from the district headquarters while traffic on Kupwara-Karnah, Kapwara-Machil, Kupwara-Keran and Kralpora-Budnamal roads was suspended by the administration as a precautionary measure.

People faced a lot of problems due to slippery road conditions and waterlogging across the district.

The snowfall also caused power and drinking water disruption in several areas.

An official said that efforts were on to clear snow from the roads of those areas which have witnessed substantial snowfall.

He said that electricity had been restored in all areas while traffic would be restored on Friday on all roads.

Meanwhile, the district administration has asked people living in the upper reaches not to venture outside unnecessarily.

Owais Farooqi from Bandipora

The fresh bouts of snowfall severed the only road surface connectivity to the Gurez Valley, following the closure of the Bandipora-Gurez road.

The administration shut the road on Wednesday as a precautionary measure in anticipation of snowfall after the road remained shut for four days following last week’s snowfall.

Although Border Road Organisation’s Project Beacon, which maintains the road, has been making strides surging across the dangerous Razdan Top to open the road soon after the snowfall, locals and administration believe that the fresh spell of snowfall might close the road permanently for winter.

Meanwhile, after snowfall in Gurez, internal roads are being cleared, SDM Gurez Mukhtar Ahmad told Greater Kashmir.

However, continuous snowfall was hindering the clearance operations.

“Once the snow stops, clearance operations will be conducted fully,” Ahmad said.

There was no movement on Tulail road too.

Locals are appealing to the concerned authorities to open the Gurez road immediately, given the absence of helicopter services.

However, both the administration and locals remain sceptical about the road opening anytime soon.

“The road should be opened soon and helicopter services made available,” Abdul Raheem Lone, a local, said.

Officials said that the tenders for availing heli-services had received a “lukewarm response” due to “pending bills”.

They made fervent appeals to the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to resolve the matter soon to avoid “exigencies,” as road opening might get delayed for a long time.

The SDM said that there was no clarity on when the service would resume.

However, the officials hope something might happen after January 10.

Meanwhile, youth in Gurez Valley have come out to play cricket on icy surfaces, which is presenting eye-catching visuals.