School holiday extended in Kashmir, Amarnath yatra suspended as Met forecasts downpour

SRINAGAR: School holidays in Kashmir have been extended by three days and Amarnath yatra suspended following forecast of an adverse weather spell from July 20 to July 23, even as mercury continued to rise across the region on Saturday, with Srinagar recording a maximum temperature of 35.9 degree.“It was a severe heat day in Kashmir today,” said Sonam Lotus, director of meteorological department.However, he said, an adverse weather spell is expected from July 20 to July 23, with light to heavy rainfall likely in many parts of Jammu & Kashmir due to moisture incursion from Arabian sea and from Bay of Bengal and the shifting of west end of monsoon trough towards Jammu, north of its normal position.A Met advisory said system is likely to cause landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, flash floods at vulnerable places over Pirpanjal Range of Jammu and higher reaches of Kashmir, including Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg-Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass and Kupwara-Sadhna pass.It said this may lead to disruption of surface transport on major roads, including Jammu-Srinagar national highway.Following the forecast, the govt has extended the summer vacation in Kashmir schools by three more days.“In view of the prevailing weather conditions, it has been decided to extend the summer vacation for all govt and recognized private schools in the Kashmir division and the winter zones of Jammu division up to 22nd July (Wednesday),” education minister Sakina Itoo said.The vacations were scheduled to end on July 19.Amarnathji Yatra will remain temporarily suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from July 19 “as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims,” a govt spokesman said.“Updates regarding resumption of Yatra will be issued in due course of time after ensuring route safety and comprehensive assessment of weather conditions,” state’s divisional commissioner Anshul Garg said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.