1st  Snow, Rain freeze JK

Cold wave engulfs state, NH-1 closed
Yash Khajuria	1/6/2012 8:22:47 PM

JAMMU, Jan 06: With snowfall lashing the many parts of the region, winter chill has engulfed Jammu since past 24-hours. Rains and snowfall not only brought down the temperature but also blocked the National Highway. Due to heavy snowfall and rainfall at Patnitop and Jawahar Tunnel the NH-1, got blocked cutting off the major supply route to Kashmir valley. As the authorities has warned of a high danger avalanche and landslides in the rainfall and snowfall affected areas throughout the National Highway. Official sources has said, due to Snowfall at Patnitop and around Jawahar Tunnel has rendered the highway slippery and vehicular traffic has been stopped till the weather turns appropriate the Jammu-Srinagar highway will remain closed for vehicular traffic, and shall open till the landslides which have occurred at a number of places on the road are being cleared completely. As the national highway is been closed there are long queues at different places by the vehicles on the either sides of the national highway. Though, People intending to undertake travel from either side are being advised that they should contact the traffic control rooms before starting their journey, to get updated about the latest status of the national highway. “The snow had stopped at most of the places when the last update was received but it was raining in Jammu and at several places in Kashmir including Banihal and Pahalgam,” said an Official. He also strictly advised to the tourists who had gone to the above stated areas that till the permission from the concerning department is granted do not try to move on the road to the highway it can be extremely hazardous for them. Meanwhile Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine today witnessed season's first snowfall, worsening the cold wave condition enroute the pilgrimage. The yatra was however going on smoothly with over 15,000 pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage today. Helicopter services for the pilgrims have been suspended in view of the continuous snowfall in Trikuta hills where the shrine is situated. The shrine, which is situated in Reasi district, and its adjoining hills received season's first snowfall this afternoon, officials said. Due to the snowfall, cold conditions are prevailing enroute cave shrine but pilgrimage is going on smoothly, they said, adding over 15,000 pilgrims are undertaking yatra to cave shrine today. There was continuous snowfall in Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Patnitop, Batote, Banihal, Pir Panchal ranges in Poonch and Rajouri districts, besides Bani Basohli areas in Kathua since this morning resulting in extreme cold wave conditions. Jammu city experienced cold wave conditions due to rainfall, they said, adding the rainfall was also reported in Katra, Udhampur, Reasi plains in the region.