| Kashmir cut off for 3rd day, 500 vehicles stranded on Jammu-Srinagar highway | | |
Srinagar , Dec 14
Kashmir valley remained cut-off from the rest of the country for the third consecutive day on Saturday as the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was hit by fresh landslides, especially in Ramban district.
Flight operations from Srinagar also continued to be affected due to fresh snowfall.
Senior Superintendent of Police, (Traffic) National Highway, JS Johar said, “Jammu- Srinagar national highway remains closed for traffic for the third consecutive day on Saturday due to bad weather. Big landslides have hit the national highway at various laces, especially Digdol, Nashri and other places.”
He further said, “The NHAI which has pressed men and machinery into service to clear the debris and snow, has informed that the Jammu-Srinagar national highway will not be restored on Saturday.”
The SSP informed that around 500 vehicles remain stranded at various places on the highway, particularly between Udhampur and Banihal.
Johar said, “As far as Jammu-Doda highway is concerned, it is likely to be restored for traffic on Saturday itself”.
“Weather is still inclement and Batote besides Patnitop received moderate snowfall on Saturday,” he added.
The highway was closed for traffic on Thursday evening after heavy snowfall around the Jawahar Tunnel -- the gateway to Kashmir Valley.
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The Mughal road, linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region remained closed for the fourth day on Saturday due to fresh snowfall , a traffic police official told this morning.
There was three to five feet of fresh snowfall on the Mughal road, particularly at Harpora, Pir-ki-Gali and other areas. No vehicle was allowed on the road due to slippery road condition and snowfall, traffic official said .
Traffic on the road was allowed recently after remaining suspended since November 6 when there was heavy snowfall.
The road, which is also seen as alternative to Srinagar-Jammu national highway, remained closed during winter months due to about ten feet of snow and avalanches every year.
Snowfall continued in most parts of the valley, including in the areas in the plains, till Saturday morning.
The MeT office has said the weather, including visibility, is likely to improve later in the day.
Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal Road – connecting south Kashmir’s Shopian district to Rajouri and Poonch districts, south of Pir Panjal – also remain closed for traffic due to heavy snowfall.
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