Vaishno Devi Yatra affected, boulevard road caves in, Traffic halted on Jammu-Srinagar NH
Jammu: The long-awaited spell of rain and snowfall has finally brought relief to Jammu and Kashmir after an unusually dry winter, with higher reaches receiving fresh snow and the plains experiencing continuous rainfall.
The change in weather has not only enhanced the scenic beauty of the region but also raised hopes of improved water availability and agricultural conditions.
Several famous tourist destinations, including Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, and Doodhpathri, received fresh snowfall on Thursday. Higher reaches in Shopian’s Heerpora, Uri in Baramulla, and areas along Mughal Road, including Peer Ki Gali, witnessed significant snow accumulation.
Kashmir Valley, facing an 80% precipitation deficit this winter, now sees hope for normalcy. “We’ve been waiting for this rain and snow as we were almost facing a drought-like situation. This spell, though light, is a blessing,” said Mehraj Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar.
The Meteorological Department forecasts more light to moderate rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir from February 24 to 28.
The famous Mata Vaishno Devi shrine witnessed fresh snowfall, transforming the surrounding Trikuta hills into a winter wonderland. However, the adverse weather led to the suspension of helicopter and ropeway services from Katra to the Bhawan.
Officials confirmed that while the helicopter and ropeway services remain suspended, the pilgrimage continues uninterrupted, with battery car services operating normally.
The rainfall has brought much-needed relief to farmers, who were worried about the impact of the dry spell on their crops.
The water levels in rivers and reservoirs, including the Jhelum, have shown a slight increase, ensuring better irrigation in the coming months.
In Kishtwar, fresh snowfall at Marghan Top and Sinthan Top led to the closure of the Kishtwar-Anantnag road. Meanwhile, Achabal spring, which had dried up, has started flowing again, much to the relief of locals.
Amid the wet weather, a portion of the newly constructed pathway along Srinagar’s Boulevard Road caved in near Ghat No. 17. The pathway, built under the Srinagar Smart City Project for the 2023 G20 meeting, saw tiles and soil washed away.
While no injuries were reported, the incident has raised concerns about the quality of construction. National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq called it a “failure” of the Smart City Project, demanding immediate intervention from the district administration.
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only surface link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, was closed on Thursday evening due to snowfall in the Banihal-Qazigund section and slippery road conditions between Ramban and Banihal.
Traffic officials said vehicular movement on the busy highway was suspended around 7 PM following a fresh spell of snow and rain.
They stated that snowfall on the Ramsu-Banihal and Banihal-Qazigund sectors, along with rain in the Nashri-Banihalsector, led to the temporary suspension of traffic.
Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police Rohit Baskotra said that traffic has been stopped from both ends of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to slippery road conditions between Banihal and Ramsoo caused by heavy snowfall.
The SSP has advised light and medium passenger vehicles (LMVs) not to ply on the highway until the weather improves.
Commuters have been urged to avoid traveling on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway until conditions improve and the road is cleared. Travelers are advised to check the latest road status updates on the Traffic Police Twitter handle, Facebook page, and Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, and Srinagar.
Earlier in the day, traffic authorities reported that hundreds of light, medium, and heavy vehicles had successfully crossed the Ramban-Banihal stretch towards their respective destinations before the highway was closed.
The Met Department has predicted continued rain and snowfall across the region for the next few days, urging residents and travelers to stay updated with official advisories.
With this long-awaited spell of precipitation, residents, farmers, and tourists alike are hopeful for better days ahead in Jammu and Kashmir.
