Srinagar highway remains shut due to landslides

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Our Correspondents

Jammu/Srinagar, February 20

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained closed for vehicular traffic on the second consecutive day on Tuesday due to landslides and shooting stones at multiple locations. Several flights have been cancelled at the Srinagar airport. The highway witnessed closure at Dalwas, Peerha, Mehad-Cafeteria, Jaiswal bridge, Trishul Morh, Seri, T2, Monkey Morh, Mom Passi, Gangroo, Hingni Marog, Kishtwari Pather, Shalghari Rampari, Tabela and Chamalwas.

Rain continued in many areas while it snowed on the stretch between Ramsoo and Banihal, making the road slippery. The traffic police advised people to avoid journey on NH-44 till weather improves and the road is clear. The department also asked people to contact the traffic control unit before starting their journey. The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road, the Mughal road, the Bhaderwah-Chamba road and the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road also remained closed due to snow accumulation on the higher reaches.

In Kashmir, roads linking districts to remote areas, like Keran and Machil in Kupwara district, were closed due to heavy snowfall. In Sonmarg, snow accumulation reached over four feet, while Gulmarg saw two feet of snowfall.

Authorities issued fresh avalanche warnings for 10 districts, cautioning against travel and highlighting the risks posed by landslides, mudslides and shooting stones. The University of Kashmir postponed all examinations scheduled for February 21 due to the prevailing weather conditions.

Mussarat Islam, Managing Director of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited, said workers were fully geared up for post-snow restoration works.

Srinagar Municipal Commissioner Owais Ahmed directed officials to be proactive in undertaking dewatering and snow clearance operations.