Srinagar, Dec 10 (UNI) The national highway, connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir valley, has been closed on Monday due to fresh snowfall since late last night, a traffic police official said.
It was snowing at different places due to which the 434-km-long road has been closed, traffic official told UNI.
He said light to moderate snowfall was recorded at Sonmarg, Zojila, Zero-point, Meenmarg and other places on the highway, the only road linking Ladakh valley with Kashmir. It was still snowing at several places, he said.
After accumulation of snow due to which the road has become slippery forcing authorities to suspend traffic, he added and said there was also threat of avalanches during the next 24 hours on the highway.
Only one-way traffic was plying on the highway for the past several week after first heavy snowfall.
Meanwhile, large number of Kashmir bound vehicles, including empty trucks and oil tankers besides carrying passengers, are stranded at Drass, Kargil and Meenmarg. Similarly Ladakh bounds trucks, carrying essentials and oil tankers have been stopped at Sonamarg in the central Kashmir district of Ganderbal.
The Beacon authorities will start snow clearance operation only when the snowfall stop and there is no threat of avalanches, official sources said adding the highway will be declared closed for winter if there is no improvement in the weather and road condition.
The Ladakh region remained cut off during six winter months due to heavy snowfall and snow avalanches.
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