Srinagar, Sep 23 (UNI) The national highway, connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir, was closed on Sunday due to rain and forecast for snow while the Srinagar-Jammu and historic Mughal road are through for traffic despite rain.
The authorities have suspended traffic on Leh and Manili road highway for 48 hours while Jammu and Kashmir is likely to receive moderate to heavy rain or snow during the next 48 hrs.
'We have suspended traffic on 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway on Sunday, a traffic police official told UNI.
It is raining and there is possibility of snowfall, he said, adding that traffic will be resumed once weather improves.
Meanwhile, large number of vehicles, including trucks, are stranded on both sides of the Zojilla pass, he said.
'In the morning, we allow traffic from Kargil and Drass to Sonamarg in Kashmir. Later in the afternoon, we are allowing traffic from here to other side of the Zojila. The centre has already sanctioned construction of tunnel at Zojila to make it all weather road,' he added.
Divisional administration has on Saturday evening directed that no traffic will be allowed to ply on Leh-Manali Road, for the next 48 hrs, in view of weather advisory, issued by Met Department.
The step has been taken as a precautionary measure, it said.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Basser Ahmad Khan last night issued a weather advisory, according to which, higher reaches of the state are likely to receive moderate to heavy rains and snow during the next 48-hours.
'Moderate rain is likely to occur at many places in Kashmir Division and moderate to heavy rain accompanied with thundershowers are likely at most places in Jammu Division. While as moderate to heavy snow or rain at few places in Ladakh region is likely during the next 48-hours,' a statement of the Divisional Commissioner said.
'This may lead to disruption of surface transportation mainly on Jammu-Qazigund section of the National Highway. Besides, there are high chances of snowfall on the Leh-Manali road leading to temporary closure of the road. There are chances of light snowfall on Zojilla pass as well,' the statement added.
Accordingly, Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division, including Leh and Kargil, have been asked to take precautionary measures in their respective districts.
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