North India shivers, Himachal on red alert

North India shivers, Himachal on red alert

Sunday, January 23, 2005 (New Delhi):

The bone-chilling wave sweeping through Northern India and the resultant drop in temperatures has thrown normal life out of gear.

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed to traffic all day on Saturday, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded on the only road link between Kashmir and the rest of the world.

The bad weather conditions being attributed to a western disturbance also forced authorities to stem the flow of Vaishno Devi pilgrims.

"There has been heavy snow fall near the Jawhar tunnel. There have been landslides near Ramban and Banihal. All traffic has been stopped," said S D S Jamwal, SP, Traffic police.

Warnings of avalanches

The upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh saw heavy snowfall, leaving large parts under a thick blanket of snow.

Warnings of avalanches have put the hill state of Himachal on red alert.

"The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment have alerted us that on 22nd and 23rd there is a likelihood of heavy snowfall in the area. For that the administration should take precautions," said Rameshwar Sharma, SDM, Manali.

No respite

Icy winds and light showers also left the residents of the national capital shivering with the day temperature falling six degrees below normal.

And with the met department forecasting no respite for the next few days it may be a while before normalcy can be restored.

from ndtv.com