Snowfall shuts Srinagar-Jammu national highway

According to the Meteorological office, weather across the Valley is likely to improve from tonight.

Intermittent snowfall continued for second day today in Kashmir with the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg recording more than one-and-a-half feet snow, bringing cheer to the local residents and tourists. The MeT department has forecast more snow over the next 24 hours across Kashmir valley. (Source: AP)

With the snowfall continuing across the Kashmir Valley for the second consecutive day, authorities on Tuesday closed the Srinagar-Jammu national highway- for traffic in the wake of heavy snowfall at several places on the national highway.

READ: Snowfall brings cheer as cold conditions prevail in J-K

“The national highway has been closed for the traffic, after heavy snowfall,” said SP Traffic Rural Javed Koul. “There are no vehicles stranded on the highway.”

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He said that the snowfall is still going on at several places on the national highway-the lone arterial link that connects the Kashmir, with the rest parts of the country.

J&K Highway has closed for the vehicular traffic today due to fresh snowfall and slippery road conditions in Jawahar tunnel and Patnitop areas,” officials at Police Control Room in Jammu said. (IE Photo: Shuaib Masoodi)

On Monday evening, authorities had decided to allow the traffic to ply from Srinagar to Jammu on Tuesday. But, the snowfall during the night, led to the closure of national highway again.

“We started the snow clearance on the highway at 4.am today. But, it is not effective because the snowfall is going on,” a senior traffic official said. “The Jawahar tunnel has recorded a snowfall of more than two feet, while as the Patnitop has recived a snowfall of 1.5 feet.”

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According to the Meteorological office, weather across the Valley is likely to improve from tonight. “From tonight, there will be a significant decrease in the rainfall and snow from tonight,” said MET Director Sonam Lotus. “Snowfall is reported from every part of the valley and we are expecting a change in the weather from tonight.”

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Meanwhile, the aerial traffic has also affected due to the bad weather. “No flight has so far landed in Srinagar today. We are waiting for weather to improve,” said an official.

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