As weather improves Highway opens partially; Air Traffic Resumes

  • SASE continues with avalanche warning for JK’s higher reaches
  • Traffic resumes partially on Highway
  • Electricity Restored, Roads Cleared
  • Air Traffic Resumes

Weather across Kashmir improved on Sunday after four days of rains and snowfall, leading to partial opening of the Srinagar-Jammu highway and restoration of flights from the Srinagar “International” Airport, even as local Meteorological department predicted “dry weather” for next five days.
“Weather would remain dry for next five days,” Director of MeT department here, Sonam Lotus told Kashmir Post.

He said in coming days, the night temperatures would go down but the day temperatures would rise. “In Chilai-Kalan, night temperatures touch minus 6 in Kashmir almost every year,” he said, referring to 40-day-long harshest winter period in Kashmir, locally called as Chilai-Kalan.
During the past 24 hours, MeT officials said, Pahalgam recorded 10-cm snow while there was light snowfall in Gulmarg and Kokernag.

‘Traffic resumes partially on Highway’
After remaining closed for three consecutive days, the vehicular traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway resumed partially, officials said on Sunday, bringing a huge respite to the intending and stranded commuters. The 300-km-long highway was closed since Friday following snowfall and heavy rains at various places on the thoroughfare, the only surface link between Kashmir and rest of the world.
On Sunday, officials said, the stranded traffic was cleared while passenger vehicles would ply from both sides on Monday. “(But) the load carriers will be allowed to ply from one-side only. We have cleared all stranded traffic from all four places on the highway,” Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Shafqat A Watali told Kashmir Post this evening.
“The load carriers with essential supplies would ply from Jammu to Srinagar on Monday. No load carrier will be allowed to ply from Srinagar,” the IG Traffic said.
He said the highway travelers must contact respective Traffic Control Units in Srinagar and Jammu on Monday morning to know about the latest status of the road before leaving for their destinations.
Watali said the work to restore traffic fully on the highway was on in full swing.
“Men and machinery of the Border Road Organization are clearing the debris of landslides,” he said.

‘Air Traffic Resumes’
After two days of suspension due to low visibility and inclement weather, the air traffic also resumed at the Srinagar “International Airport” on Sunday. Officials said all private airline flights landed at the Airport since morning and continued to operate normally throughout the day. “More than 30 flights operated today,” an official said.
The airport witnessed huge rush of fliers.

‘Electricity Restored, Roads Cleared’
On Sunday, officials said electricity was restored in entire Kashmir while link roads were also cleared.
Reports however said traffic movement remained suspended from Gagangeer to Sonamarg for the third consecutive day on Sunday. Officials said Zojila and Sonamarg witnessed fresh light snowfall on Sunday.
The roads in border areas of Tangdhar, Keran and Machil in north Kashmir are still closed due to snowfall, reports said on Sunday.
Officials said since these roads pass through “difficult terrains”, “efforts are on to clear these in next few days.”

Avalanche Working for higher reaches
A medium danger avalanche warning was issued again on Sunday for some avalanche-prone districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chandigarh-based Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) issued the warning that would be valid for the next 24 hours starting at 5 pm Sunday.
The SASE warning said the medium danger warning is in place for avalanche prone areas in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Doda, Poonch and Reasi.
“People are advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas during the warning period,” it said.
Meanwhile, MeT officials said Pahalgam recorded a low of minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, while Srinagar and Qazigund recorded the minimum temperature of minus 0.3 degrees Celsius.
They said Leh was closely followed by the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg where the minimum temperature settled at minus 7.6 degrees Celsius.

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