Sgr-Jmu highway closed, KU postpones exams
Mudassir Ahmad
Srinagar Feb 19: The second consecutive day of rain in the plains and snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir disrupted normal life on Monday. This led to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and the University of Kashmir postponing exams for two days.The Meteorological Department has predicted a three-day wet weather spell from February 18-20. Since Sunday, the plains have experienced rain, while the upper reaches received snowfall.Gulmarg, slated to host the fourth ‘Khelo India’ winter games from Wednesday, witnessed over a foot of fresh snowfall in the past 24 hours, recording a temperature of minus 2.8 degrees Celsius during the previous night.Gulmarg has made extensive preparations for the event, with athletes arriving from across the country. The recent heavy snowfall, considered a fortunate occurrence leading up to the Khelo India Games, has not only delighted athletes but also brought joy to tourists from India and abroad.Sonamarg in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and Pahalgam in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district also received heavy snowfall, delighting numerous tourists. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar was spotted enjoying the snowfall with his family in Pahalgam.The closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was due to a mudslide at Mehad-Cafteria, Ramban, and a landslide at Tabela Chamalwass, Banihal. To clear stranding hundreds of vehicles, workers and machinery were deployed to clear the affected areas. The Traffic Department has advised people to avoid traveling on NH-44 until weather conditions improve and the road is cleared.However, the air traffic plied normally. The University of Kashmir postponed exams scheduled for February 19 and 20 due to adverse weather conditions. “Fresh dates for the postponed papers will be communicated separately,” an official said.However, exams at Cluster University Srinagar proceeded as scheduled on Monday.The Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority has issued an avalanche warning for 10 districts, indicating low and medium danger levels.
