J&K highway closed for traffic following landslide

The Jammu -Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic due to snowfall in the Kashmir Valley which has been covered with a blanket of snow. A scene on Dec 30, 2010. A file photo: Nissar Ahmad

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for traffic today due to landslides triggered by heavy rains at Pathal area in Ramban district.

Over 600 vehicles have been stranded at various places in Udhampur, Nagrota, Ramban, Patnitop, Banihal and Batote areas of the highway due to the landslide, police said.

In view of the fresh snowfall, authorities had allowed only one way traffic from Jammu to Srinagar today, but landslide has blocked the highway, he said.

Men and machines of Border Road Organisation are trying to clear the landslide but heavy rains in the area were making the task difficult, officials said.

There was fresh snowfall in Pirpanjal ranges in Poonch, Warwan, Paddar, Madwa in Kishtwar district, Shivgarh Dhar, Seojdhar (Doda), Nathatop, Jugdhar (Ramban), Sarthal, Lohangan, Joda Mata and Lohi Malhar (Kathua district).

Jammu was also lashed by heavy rains this morning triggering cold wave conditions.