Temperature plummets in Doda after snowfall in upper reaches, Rainfall in plains
DH NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, Jan 16
The Trikuta hills ensconcing the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi received the season’s first snowfall even as rain lashed large parts of the Jammu region, blocking the Mughal and Simthan roads.
Despite the snowfall, pilgrims continued their journey on foot to offer prayers at the shrine, officials said.
“We are happy to feel the snowflakes touching us. It is the first time in my life that I have seen snowfall, and that too at the abode of Mata. It is a blessing for me,” a pilgrim from Pune said.
The world-famous tourist resort of Sanasar in the Ramban district experienced moderate snowfall.
Moderate to heavy snow fell in parts of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Poonch, Kathua, and Reasi districts, officials said.
Some inter-district roads, as well as the inter-regional Mughal road and Simthan roads, were closed due to snowfall, they added.
Jammu-Srinagar national highway remains open for traffic despite rain in Ramban and Udhampur districts.
Traffic police issued an advisory stating that vehicles on the highway were moving at a slow pace due to heavy snowfall in the Qazigund-Anantnag sector and the Banihal area near the Navyug tunnel.
“Commuters are advised to avoid travelling on the highway if possible because of heavy snowfall on the Qazigund side,” the advisory said.
Meanwhile, : Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district has received a fresh spell of snowfall, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Harvinder Singh announced on Thursday. According to the official, the precipitation, limited to the upper reaches of Doda, will bring relief to the region’s horticulture and agriculture sectors.
The Bhaderwah valley in Doda received a fresh spell of snowfall during the day, as did the adjacent region of Bhalessa, which was blanketed in pristine white. Meanwhile, Poonch, another district in the Jammu division, also received fresh snow.
“This is the second spell of snowfall, and the general public, farmers, and orchard owners are ecstatic. The snowfall is especially beneficial for the region’s crops, as it provides essential moisture and protection from harsh weather conditions. In fact, snowfall is crucial for the health and productivity of crops, particularly in regions with cold climates,” Doda’s DC Singh said.
He, however, also noted the usual risks associated with fresh snowfall, saying the snowfall brings with it “the risk of accidents and disruptions”. DC Singh has instructed all departments to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure public safety.
The vehicles department has been specifically advised to take extreme precautions, as the roads become slippery and icy after snowfall, increasing the chance of accidents, he said.
The official further pointed out that the plains of Doda have witnessed rainfall, saying, “People of Doda are reporting that the plains of the district have received rainfall, which has led to a significant drop in temperature.”
“As a result, the entire district is experiencing a surge in cold weather… The rainfall in the plains of Doda has caused the temperature to plummet, making the weather colder,” the DC added.
Competing healthily with spells of snowfall in Kashmir valley, following the restoration of the Bhaderwah-Basholi-Pathankot National Highway, a large number of tourists thronged to Bhaderwah region of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Guldanda meadow, after it received heavy snowfall earlier in January.
Guldanda, which is located at almost 10,000 feet altitude, has become a popular destination for visitors from across the country. In the past year, over 5 lakh tourists visited various parts of Bhaderwah, according to the Publicity Officer of the Bhaderwah Development Authority (BDA), Aamir Rafique.
