Air traffic resumes, highway closed for third day

Srinagar:  The 300 km Jammu-Srinagar highway remained closed for the vehicular traffic for the third consecutive day Tuesday due to the landslides triggered by heavy rains at Digdol in the Ramban district.

Reports said heavy snowfall and incessant overnight rains lashed the vital road link near Digdol in Ramban district due to which a portion of the hill caved in. Hundreds of vehicles, including passenger buses and load carriers are stranded at various places along the highway. Border Road Organization, the agency responsible for the maintenance of the highway was making efforts to clear the road from the landslides. The authorities also carried out blasting near Digdol to clear road of landslide, sources said.

“The highway is closed for traffic. A portion of mountain caved in near Digdol last evening. We’re trying our best to clear the highway. It may take a day or more,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) highway, Kifayat Haider told.

“Around 10-15 vehicles are stranded at the highway,” he added.

Meanwhile, the air traffic that was hit by snowfall and poor visibility on Monday resumed operations this morning.