The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for vehicular traffic for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday, due to landslides triggered by heavy rains.
However, the flood scare has finally reduced now. Inclement weather conditions over the last 5 days have loosed soil in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, leading to landslides.
Rain in Jammu and Kashmir
In last 24 hours, the glaciers received widespread snowfall, while other places witnessed good showers. Banihal recorded 13.4 mm of rain, Batote 43.4 mm, Katra 12.6 mm and Bhaderwah 25 mm. Srinagar received light rainfall of 5 mm.
The weather conditions are now showing an improvement. However, a feeble Western Disturbance can still be seen moving across the higher reaches and is capable of bringing snowfall in the glaciers and scattered rainfall in rest of the state.
Temperatures in Jammu and Kashmir
Temperatures in the hilly areas have dropped 8-10 degrees below normal. On Friday, Banihal recorded 9.5°C as the maximum temperature. Maximum in Bhaderwah was 11 degrees below normal at 8.8°C. Day temperatures in Batote and Katra were at 8.5°C and 19°C, respectively.
Situation still not under control
Even though rain has reduced, the situation remains grim. The water bodies have been overflowing and the water has reached the houses of the nearby residents. Due to closure of the highway, around 600 Kashmir-bound passengers are stranded at the Jammu bus stand for the past three days and are demanding that they be airlifted to Kashmir.
