Rains lash Kashmir Valley, avalanche warning issued

Heavy rains lashed Kashmir today and the authorities issued an warning that avalanche might strike many areas of the vallery close to the mountain ranges.

"Medium danger avalanche alert has been sounded for higher reaches of Gurez, Baruab, Chakwali, Kanzalwan, Niru, Razdan Pass, Gugladara, Keran, Machil, Chowkibal, Tangdar and higher reaches of Gulmarg and Khilanmarg following the rainfall," Aamir Ali, coordinator of the disaster management cell, said.

He said low danger avalance warning exists for peaks of Drass and Kargil areas in Ladakh region.

"People living in the higher reaches of these areas have been advised to curtail their outdoor movement and not to venture into avalanche prone areas," Ali added.

Pahalgam in south Kashmir Anantnag district received the highest rainfall at 27.6 mm till 5.30 pm, an official of the met department said.

He said Srinagar received 23.2 mm followed by Qazigund (19.2 mm), Kupwara (18.4 mm) and Kokernag (10.2mm).

The downpour brought down the mercury by more than 13 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature recorded today was just 10.0 degrees Celsius compared to yesterday's 23.5 degrees Celsius.

The rainfall triggered landslides at many places on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, forcing the authorities to stop the movement of vehicular traffic on the arterial road connecting the valley with rest of the coountry.

Officials said hundreds of passenger vehicles and goods trucks were stranded on the 294-km highway.