Fresh snowfall, landslides force Jammu-Srinagar NH to remain closed
(Sourced from PTI)
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather surface link between Kashmir and rest of the country, was closed for vehicular traffic for the second consecutive day today due to fresh snowfall and landslides. Due to fresh snowfall and landslides in Jawahar tunnel-Banihal-Ramban section and a landslide in Ramban stretch, the highway was closed for vehicular traffic, said the officials. Read details here.
"There was fresh snowfall and also landslides on highway in Pantiyal-Battery Cheshma-Ramban sector," Deputy Superintendent of Police Suresh Sharma said. He further said that restoration work at several places is going on despite shooting of stones at Battery Cheshma, Anokhi, Digdool, and Pantiyal. Landslides at Battery Cheshma and Anokhi fall in the morning led to the blockage of the road, he said.
Snowfall continued till this afternoon in Banihal and Jawahar tunnel areas. "No vehicle was allowed to move towards Kashmir-valley from Nagrota traffic check post in Jammu," a traffic police officer said. The men and machinery of Border Roads Organization are working to clear the highway.
The Mughal road, an alternative road connecting Kashmir's Shopian district with the Poonch district of the Jammu region, has been closed for over a fortnight due to snowfall, the official said. The Jammu-Srinagar highway had reopened on Sunday after remaining closed for over six days following landslides and also heavy snowfall along the nearly 280-kilometer-long stretch.
