Kashmir travel advisory: weather may hit surface, air communication in next 24 hours

The meteorological (MeT) department in Kashmir today issued travel advisory for next 24 fours warning of rain and snowfall affecting the valley's surface and air transport system.

The meteorological (MeT) department in Kashmir on Wednesday issued travel advisory for next 24 fours warning of rain and snowfall affecting the valley's surface and air transport system.



"Due to fresh weather system emerging, moderate snowfall over hills and rains in plains will occur at many places of Pirpanjal ranges in Kashmir division and at a few places over Ladakh and higher reaches of Jammu region," said MeT director GN Ganai in Srinagar.

Ganai said this weather system is likely to disrupt surface and air transport systems of the state on November 29. Kashmir valley has only one, Srinagar-Jammu national highway, surface communication with the rest of the country. The highway is prone to landslides and shooting stones in the wake of heavy snowfall or rainfall.

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Kashmir valley is witnessing a severe cold wave, particularly during the night. Minimum temperature in Srinagar has fallen to minus 1.7 degree Celsius. There was heavy overcast on Wednesday afternoon in the valley.

"The present western disturbance over the state is likely to intensify and will affect J&K and adjoining areas from the tonight till November 29 evening," said Ganai.

The MeT predicts fall in day temperature by 4-5°C. "The night temperature will rise by 1 to 2°C," said the MeT official.

Kashmir divisional commissioner Asgar Hassan Samoon has already ordered traffic restrictions on the Kargil-Zanskar, Srinagar-Zojila-Kargil, Kupwara-Machil/Tangdhar, Anantnag-Sinthan-Kishtwar, Bandipora-Gurez and Shopian-Mughal roads for November 29 as a precautionary measure.

The deputy commissioners, police and traffic officials have been asked to take appropriate measures to ensure strict implementation of traffic restriction to safeguard life and property of the general public.

"Public has been appealed to defer their travel progamme to these areas in their own interest," said spokesman of the divisional commissioner's office.

The government has also taken measures to maintain stocks of essentials in case of any eventuality.