Lightning strikes Shiv temple, two houses damaged by avalanche; Jmu-Sgr NH closed
Jammu: The ongoing spell of heavy rains and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir continued to wreak havoc on Thursday, resulting in two fatalities, property damage, and disruption of travel.
The intense weather conditions have affected both regions of Union Territory, with snow accumulation reaching up to 4 feet in higher areas, while plains witnessed heavy rains for the second consecutive day.
Two people, including a 14-year-old boy, lost their lives due to rain-related incidents. The first tragedy occurred when a boulder struck a sports utility vehicle (SUV) near Dherian Ziyarat in the Surankote area of Jammu-Poonch National Highway, killing the driver. The second incident saw a young boy drown while attempting to cross a swollen stream near his home at Sangore-Tuli in Reasi district.
In another weather-related incident, lightning struck the dome of a Shiv temple in the Goramorh area of Samba district, damaging the structure.
A “Kalash” on top of the temple was uprooted, and one person suffered minor injuries after being hit by a falling stone. A group of devotees had gathered for a Mahashivratri “langar” service at the time of the strike.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a vital link between the two regions, was shut down in the evening due to continuous heavy rain, shooting stones, and mud slush between Nashri and Banihal in Ramban district.
The weather also triggered avalanches in Kishtwar district’s upper reaches, though no damage was reported.
Similarly, avalanches struck the Beighpura-Kamsui village in the Inderwal area and Pinjari near Dachhan in Kishtwar district.
Although no casualties were reported, the avalanche caused damage to two houses in the Khandiyal village of Gurez Valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
In addition to these disruptions, fresh snowfall has led to road closures across the region, including the closure of all major roads and highways. Snow depths of up to 4 feet were recorded in higher-altitude areas like Sadhna Top, Gurez Valley, and Sinthan Top, while lower-altitude areas like Srinagar experienced intermittent rainfall.
The authorities have urged people to avoid traveling, especially at night, due to the hazardous conditions and possible avalanche risks.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) predicts a slight improvement in weather conditions from tomorrow afternoon, with cloudy weather expected from March 1-2, followed by light rain and snow in scattered areas. However, from March 4 to 8, generally dry weather is forecasted.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing in avalanche-hit areas, and authorities are working to clear debris and restore traffic, particularly along the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Despite efforts to restore normalcy, the relentless rainfall and snowfall continue to hamper recovery processes.
In light of the weather’s severity, authorities have urged the public to stay alert and avoid venturing into vulnerable areas prone to avalanches and flooding.
