Jammu-Srinagar highway closed after landslides

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Jammu, February 19

Snow and rainfall triggered landslides at multiple locations on the Jammu-Srinagar highway, causing traffic disruption on the vital link on Monday. Traffic going from Jammu towards Srinagar was stopped in Udhampur, causing many vehicles to remain stranded. Major landslides were reported at Mehad-Cafeteria and Tabela Chamalwas in Ramban district. The traffic police asked the people to avoid the journey on the highway till the weather improves.

Even before the landslides, the highway traffic faced disruptions due to slippery conditions and poor surface in various places, including Dalwas between Nashree and Banihal. Rainfall was reported on the entire highway due to which traffic snarls were reported.

Bhaderwah-Chamba, Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag and Mughal roads were also shut for vehicular movement due to snow accumulation on higher reaches, cutting off all the major surface links to the Valley.

As per the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, snow and rain in higher reaches and plain areas have been reported. Its advisory stated rain over plains with heavy to very heavy snow over higher reaches of Kashmir and Pir Panjal ranges in Jammu division are likely on February 19-20.

Kashmir University (KU) postponed all exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday due to inclement weather. The new dates of these exams will be announced later.

Reports suggested that snowfall was very likely to continue at most places in Ladakh till Tuesday forenoon. “Significant improvement is very likely from Tuesday afternoon onwards in Ladakh. February 21-25 will remain partly to generally cloudy,” an official said.

Higher reaches like Zojila Pass, Baltal, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Doodhpathri and Gurez also received heavy snowfall during the last 24 hours.

The J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) has issued an avalanche warning for 10 districts for the next 24 hours. A low danger level avalanche warning has been issued for areas above 2,500 meters over Anantnag and Kulgam districts. Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2,000 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, poonch, Ramban, Bandipora and Baramulla.

Further, high danger level avalanche is likely to occur above 2,200 metres over Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in next 24 hours. The authority has advised the people living in these areas to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas.