Remain alert to meet any eventuality, DDM to agencies after winds

Srinagar, Mar 11 (UNI) After above normal minimum and maximum temperature in the valley, strong winds in the afternoon forced authorities to issue a fresh warning to all concerned agencies to remain alert to meet any eventuality.

The warning was issued by the Divisional Disaster Management Cell headed by Amir Ali forecast after receiving a forecast from Regional Meteorological Department, Delhi, about possibility of strong wind blowing alongwith rain.

Mr Ali said senior police officers have been requested not to allow Shikaras to ply in Dal lake last night as a precautionary measure because of winds.

We have deployed police personnel on the bank of the lake to stop plying of shikaras in the Dal, he said adding strong winds can turtle boats.

Power supply to several areas, including Exchange road, in the summer capital was snapped after high speed winds.

Mr Ali said the Chief Engineer, Electric department, Kashmir, was requested to ensure that power is switched off immediately in case of toppling over of electrical poles, so as to ensure that there is no danger to life.

The maximum temperature in the valley before cloudy weather was eight degree above normal while it was five degree in the morning which was three degree above normal.

Official sources said though the day temperature in Leh, Kargil and Drass was near normal, the night remained cold.

The minimum temperature was still minus five to minus seven in Leh and Kargil while it was minus eight degree in Drass, the second coldest place in the world after Siberia.

A report from Kargil said about 300 students and teachers are stranded on Jammu since February 26.

It said the schools reopened in the Kargil district yesterday after winter vacation. However, these students and teachers are still in Jammu after AN-32 flights between Kargil and Jammu were cancelled for unknown reasons.

UNI BAS PJ DS1406