MeT issues ‘Red alert’ as Kashmir receives fresh snowfall

Srinagar, January 08,2021: As most parts of Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Friday, the weatherman here has issued ‘Red alert’, predicting heavy to very heavy snowfall and rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir.

Two successive Western Disturbances affected J&K since January 03 evening with Meteorological department (MeT) predicting that the weather conditions in J&K would improve from January 09 morning.

Kashmir parts including the world famous ski-resort, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Srinagar as well received fresh snowfall today, bringing down the temperature further.

MeT has issued an advisory, issuing Red alert till January 08 evening, saying that J&K would receive heavy to very heavy snowfall in the next two days following which there is possibility of gradual improvement in the weather conditions from January 09 morning.

The MeT in the advisory said that the surface and air traffic may get affected due to the prevalent weather conditions, adding that the landslides and avalanche may occur at vulnerable spots as well.

It appealed to people not to venture in avalanche prone areas and follow the traffic advisory. It also appealed to people to maintain proper ventilation of rooms.

Meanwhile, Srinagar-Jammu, the only road connecting the Valley with the rest of the States remained closed for vehicular movement as a precautionary measure in wake of the weather advisory.

A top official informed that the highway would remain closed for the traffic for tomorrow as well.

Moreover, Srinagar-Leh highway has been closed by the authorities till further orders while Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumir road was also closed for the vehicular movement.

Mughal road, which connects Shopian with Poonch-Rajouri districts continued to remain closed for the traffic.

Meanwhile, authorities in Kashmir University postponed UG/PG/Professional exams scheduled on January 08.

“It is notified for the information of all the concerned that due to inclement weather conditions, all UG/PG/Professional exams of Kashmir University scheduled on 8-01-2022 stand postponed,” a statement said.

Fresh dates for postponed papers will be issued separately, Prof Irshad Ahmad Nawchoo, Controller of Examinations said.

Nonetheless, Deputy Mayor Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Parvaiz Qadri when contacted told KNO that adequate arrangements have been made to ensure early snow clearances from roads, lanes and bi-lanes in the areas falling under their jurisdiction.

“Men and machinery are ready to tackle any situation. We have kept almost 74 tractors and eight snow clearance machines to tackle the situation post snowfall,” he said, adding that the whole SMC is on its toes to ensure that the people would not face any kind of hardships.

He informed that the SMC has deputed four Zonal officers for Srinagar to monitor the situation and also the grievance redressal cell has recently been established so that the people could contact in case of any emergency. Meanwhile, officials at the Srinagar airport said that due to snowfall in the evening hours, they would operate only 31 flights while as six flights got cancelled due to bad weather and low visibility—(KNO)