The Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed for traffic on Monday due to the mudslides triggered by heavy rainfall in the Ramban district,. People have been advised to avoid the highway until the weather conditions improve.
"The traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway has been closed for traffic due to mudslides at Mehad-Cafeteria in Ramban and at Tabela Chamalwass in Banihal area," an official of the traffic department said, according to a PTI report.
Traffic movement has been stopped at various places along the highway so that people are not stranded at vulnerable areas of the arterial road.
Temperature Dips In Srinagar
A sudden dip in temperature was observed in Srinagar on Monday as rainfall lashed the area. Srinagar recorded a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius on Monday. While the temperature in Gulmarg was recorded at minus 2.9 degrees Celsius, according to ANI.
The report stated that the Meteorological Department has issued an extended wet spell warning for the entire region, predicting light to moderate rain and snow across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir till Wednesday.
The Weather Department has warned of an "extended wet spell" across Jammu and Kashmir until Wednesday afternoon. They predict light to moderate rain and snow in most places, including plains and lower reaches, from February 19 to 20. This wet spell could lead to flash floods in hilly areas, landslides, and disruption of essential services like power and water supply.
The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued a red alert for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall/snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir for Monday.
Kupwara received heavy snowfall on Monday morning.
Avalanche Warning In Anantnag and Kulgam
Meanwhile, the JKDMA also issued a low-danger level avalanche warning on Sunday for Anantnag and Kulgam for the next 24 hours. The warning said that the avalanche is likely above 2500 metres over the Anantnag and Kulgam districts.
JKDMA also issued a warning of an avalanche with a medium danger level over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours.