Rains bring respite from heat in Indian-controlled Kashmir

The Indian-controlled Kashmir Saturday experienced rainfall bringing respite to people from the extreme heat wave. The rains started Friday evening and lashed twin capital cities- Srinagar and Jammu. The inordinate shortage in the rainfall has added to the drought like conditions in some areas. "In the month of July a shortage in rainfall was recorded that added up to the sweltering heat," said Sonum Lotus, Director Meteorological office Srinagar. "The ongoing rains are going to bring the relief to some extent." The rainfall triggered landslides on Srinagar-Jammu road connecting Muslim majority areas to Jammu division and beyond. The vehicular movement on the over 294 km long road has been stopped for safety of passenger and goods vehicles. Over 200 vehicles have been stranded at various places on the highway due to the landslides, reports said. The landslides triggered at Maroog, Sri and Ramban. India's Border Road Organisation (BRO) pressed men and machines to clear the road of the debris and ensure plying of traffic. The road closure usually causes dearth of essential items and results in escalation of prices in the market.