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• Rain, snow likely in J&K, HP

• Jammu-Srinagar highway closed

REGION

NATION

Read under headings Max (maximum temperature), Min (minimum temperature), R (rainfall in past 24 hours) and TR (total rainfall):

Rain, snow likely in J&K, HP
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 18
Rainfall: Rain or snow has occurred at most places in Jammu and Kashmir, at many places in Himachal Pradesh and at a few places in Uttaranchal. Rain or thundershowers have occurred at many places in Punjab and at isolated places in Haryana. Weather was mainly dry in the rest of the region. The chief amounts of precipitation in cms are: Himachal Pradesh: Sundernagar 4 and Bhuntar 3 and Jammu and Kashmir: Banihal 6, Batote 5, Srinagar 3 and Jammu 2.

Temperatures: Past 24 hours change: Minimum temperatures fell appreciably in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, fell in west Rajasthan, rose in esst Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal and changed little elsewhere. Departure: They were markedly above normal in Uttaranchal, appreciably above normal in Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, above normal in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir and normal in Uttar Pradesh. The lowest temperature in the plains was 5.7°C recorded at Bikaner (Rajasthan).

Forecast valid until the morning of January 20: Rain or snow will occur at many places in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir and at a few places in Uttaranchal. Rain or thundershowers are likely at few places in Haryana and Punjab and at isolated places in Uttar Pradesh. Weather will be mainly dry in Rajasthan.

Heavy rainfall warning: Isolated heavy rain or snow is likely in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.

Forecast for Delhi and neighbourhood valid until the morning of January 20: Mainly cloudy sky with a possibility of light rain in some areas. Mist/fog till forenoon. Minimum temperature will be around 9°C.

Farmers’ weather bulletin for Delhi: Forecast valid until the morning of January 20: Light rain is likely at a few places.

Outlook for the subsequent two days: No large change.

Jammu-Srinagar highway closed

Jammu, January 18
The 300-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway, linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed to vehicular traffic today following landslides triggered by incessant rains as the valley experienced fresh snowfall intensifying the cold wave.

Over 100 vehicles were stranded at various places on the highway as landslides, rains and snowfall made movement on roads difficult.

Jawahar Tunnel, received 2-ft of snowfall as the Border Roads Organisation worked round the clock to clear the highway of blockades.

Landslides occurred near Ramban, some 150 km from Srinagar, Digdole, Natha Nallah and Chaitaninallah leading to the closure of the highway, the officials said.

The holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, tourist resorts Patnitop, Gulmarg and Pahalgam and Pirpanchal ranges had fresh snowfall plummeting mercury considerably and affecting normal life.

Heavy rains lashed Jammu overnight bringing the minimum temperature to 6.5 degrees celsius. Banihal and Batote received 57 and 50.4 mm of rainfall respectively.

SHIMLA: The intense cold wave sweeping higher and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh further aggravated today as the high-altitude areas in the tribal belt and other higher reaches including the Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra district and high mountain passes had intermittent heavy snowfall during the past 24 hours.

The mid and lower hills of the state had widespread rains and sleet, accompanied by high-velocity icy winds. Shimla and its adjoining areas were lashed by rain and sleet last night while the key tourist resorts of Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda had rain and sleet followed by mild snowfall.

The mighty Dhauladhar ranges, donning a mantle of impeccable white snow, presented a dazzling look as morning sun rays fell on the snowclad pinnacles.

The tribal valleys of Lahaul, Spiti and Pangi continued to groan under piercing cold wave conditions with minimum temperature staying between minus 12 and minus 24 degrees celsius after fresh snowfall.

The region had a clear day in the morning but sky was partially overcast as the day advanced. — PTI