Rains, snow closes highway

Srinagar: While rains lashed plains in Kashmir, the 300-km Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only surface link connecting Valley with rest of the world on Thursday was closed for traffic due to the snowfall and overnight rains.

Reports said that the Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed by the authorities due to snowfall and heavy rains around Jawahar Tunnel and other places resulting in slippery road conditions on the highway. Around 100 vehicles, including passenger vehicles, light motor vehicles and load carriers have been stranded at many places due to the closure of the highway.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Highways, Kifayat Haider said the highway was closed for traffic due to snowfall and rains that rendered the highway unsafe for the movement of vehicular traffic. He said beacon has pressed into service men and machinery to make the highway motorable.

“The highway was closed this morning in view of bad weather conditions. Some vehicles are stranded on the highway. Efforts are on to clear the highway and allow the stranded vehicles to proceed towards their destinations,” he added.

Meanwhile, summer capital of the state received rainfall of 4.2 mm in last 30-hrs till 1430 hours, a meteorological office official said here.

Qazigund, the gate way town to the valley, witnessed the highest amount of rainfall with 49.4 mm followed by 26mm in Pahalgam, the famous health resort in the south Kashmir. Kokernag had 25.8mm, Kupwara 6.4 mm while world famous ski resort had 17.0 mm of rainfall during the time, the MeT added.

“Light to moderate rain/snow would occur at many places in Jammu & Kashmir divisions in next 24-hrs,” the MeT added.