JK NH remains closed, 2 die in Chhattisgarh

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) Rains played havoc in Kashmir with the lifeline of the Valley--the 300-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway--remaining closed for the fifth consecutive day today due to landslides and two persons have died in lightning near Khartuli village in Chhattisgarh.

While heavy rains lashed Andaman and Nicobar Islands, inundating a few low-lying areas, monsoon played truant in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

Kashmir continued to remain cut off from the rest of the country via land route, however, air traffic was normal with all flights operating as per schedule.

Many parts of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway up to Qazigund have been inundated with flood water. About 30 mt of road near Himgiri Nullah (Gangu Pass) between Ramsoo and Ramban had been badly damaged due to landslides.

However, the 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway has been opened for light motor vehicles today, four days after it was closed due to landslides at several places.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) men have been mobilised and were working overtime to clear the highway.

Hundreds of passengers stranded at several places along the highway were given permission to move towards Srinagar and Jammu.

However, a large number of small vehicles and trucks carrying essential commodities to the Kashmir valley were still stranded.

In Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh, two persons -- Santosh and Champu -- were killed by lightening when they were grazing cattle near Khartuli village, eight km from the district headquarters, yesterday.

However, two other people, Dev and Roman who were accompanying them, were seriously injured, police said.

As per reports from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Port Blair was battered for six hours by continuous rain, bringing life in the town to a standstill for some hours and enthusiasm for the Onam Festivals was nearly wiped out.

However, there was no report of any destruction or damage.

" A total of 32.8 mm of rainfall was recorded till 1400 hrs since morning while yesterday it was only 2.0 mm" Naval Met Office of Andaman and Nicobar Command informed UNI.

According to the Civil Met department Andaman and Nicobar islands have received a total rainfall of 1,754 mm since January 2006.

In Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, no rainfall was reported today.

Rampur in Himachal Pradesh, recorded 0.5 mm downpour overnight, according to the Weather Office.

The Sun peeped through the skies occasionally as clouds hovered at many places in the region during the day. The maximum temperature rose at certain places in Punjab and Haryana in the absence of rains.

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