Srinagar, Feb 20 (UNI) The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was closed yet again on Wednesday due to fresh snowfall and landslides, triggered by rain, a traffic police official said.
The Srinagar-Leh National Highway and historic 86-km-long Mughal road, linking Shopian in south Kashmir with Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu region remained closed due to accumulation of about six to 10 feet of snow.
As per schedule, vehicle were to ply from Jammu to Srinagar today as only one-way traffic will continue on the highway, traffic police official told UNI. However, he said, there was fresh snowfall at Jawahar tunnel since early this morning. Heavy rain also triggered landslides and shooting stones between Ramban and Ramsu, including Pentheyal, Digdol and three other places.
He said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Beacon authorities, responsible for the maintenance of the highway, have pressed into service sophisticated machines and men to work to clear the landslides and shooting stone.
He said some Jammu-bound vehicles are stranded at the Ramban and Ramsu area due to landslides last night. Once the road is put through, only stranded vehicles will be allowed before fresh traffic. Hundreds of vehicles, which had left Jammu for Kashmir this morning, have been stopped between Udhampur and Ramban, he said, adding the vehicles will be allowed to move towards Srinagar after the stranded vehicles are cleared.
There is a forecast for fresh snow and rain in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
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