Heavy snowfall forces closure of Srinagar-Leh highway

Kargil, Nov 12 (UNI) The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway was closed this evening due to heavy snowfall and landslides at various places along the road, officials said.

They said about 8-10 inches snow was recorded at Zojilla Pass and other places along the highway since this morning.

The officials said heavy snow triggered landslides at many places along the highway forcing its closure at the India Gate near the Zojilla Pass.

They said about 50 vehicles were stranded between the India Gate and Baltal along the highway. The light motor vehicles, including passenger taxis, were turned back to Srinagar from Sonamarg, the officials added.

They said the Project Beacon of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had pressed men and machinery into service to clear the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway.

''If the weather conditions improve and there is no further snowfall, the highway would be thrown open for vehicular traffic tomorrow,'' the officials added.

The Srinagar-Leh national highway was expected to remain open till November 15.

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