Srinagar June 22 : Unseasonal snowfall and heavy rains in the upper reaches of Pir Panjal area has left hundreds of nomadic families in distress as they along with their livestock have got stuck in snow in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.The upper reaches like Rich Bagla, Katoria Sar and Rupri Marg have received heavy snowfall and there is fear of huge loss to livestock of nomads.
They nomadic families from Kotranka Tehsil of Rajouri district are presently stuck at Ghogera Thill in upper reaches of the Reasi district along with their livestock.
The unexpected snowfall in the area have added to their miseries.
Notably, Gujjar and Bakarwal families migrate to upper reaches in the summer every year for grazing their cattle.
On the other hand , the 84-km long Bandipora-Gurez road has been temporary closed for traffic movement following fresh snowfall at Razdan Top, officials said .
An official said that Razdan Top has received around one and half inches of fresh snowfall due to which traffic movement on the road has been temporary closed. He said that some parts of higher reaches of Gurez valley including Tulail have also received fresh snowfall.
Meanwhile, the authorities in Islamabad, Kulgam, Shopian, Kupwara, Baramulla and Ramban districts have ordered suspension of class work in schools in the districts in view of the heavy rains in the districts.
“In view of very heavy rains in Islamabad district, class work in all primary , ordered middle and High schools of district shall remain suspended today,” a non Kashmir and Indian Dr. Piyush Singla Hindutva regimes Deputy Commissioner Islamabad said.
District Administration Kupwara also announced decision to suspend classwork in primary, middle and high schools across the north Kashmir district as a “precautionary measure” amid incessant rains.
Chief Education Officer Shopian said that due to prevailing bad weather conditions, classwork upto class 8th shall remain suspended in all the government and Private Educational Institutions of district.
District administration Ramban also tweeted: “In view of heavy rains and overflowing of nallahs at several places across Ramban District, all Primary, Middle & High Schools shall remain closed today. Orders will be issued separately.” Similar order has been issued by district administration Kulgam.
CEO Baramulla also ordered that class work in all Primary, Middle and High Schools shall remain suspended in view of incessant rainfall in the north Kashmir district.
A tourist guide is feared dead while 11 sightseers and two other guides are trapped near banks of Tarsar Lake in south Kashmir.
A group of 14 people including 11 tourists and three guides –Mohammad Ishaq Lone, Tariq Ahmad ,and Shakeel Ahmad were on sightseeing near Tarser Lake in Pulwama district.
One of the guides, Shakeel Ahmad is feared drowned in the lake, the officials said. “The other people are stuck near the bank of the river,” they added.
Meanwhile, at least 52 sheep, eight horses and five cows have died due to cloud burst and inclement weather in the upper forest areas in Budgam district.
District sheep officer Budgam, Dr Asrhraf told media men that as per initial details in Dishkhall, Durian, Lathermand, Ayud, Koreg, and other upper reaches of Budgam district at least 52 sheep have died from last two days due to cloudburst and inclement weather.
The death toll may increase with time as the areas have no mobile accessibility, while these nomad families are grazing the animals, he added.