Valley cut off from rest the country

Srinagar, Mar 17: The Kashmir valley remained cut off from the rest of the country following the closure of 300-km-long Srinagar- Jammu national highway due to landslides.

However, air traffic remained unaffected as all outgoing and incoming flights operated normally.

Official sources said heavy rains triggered landslides at Ramsu forcing authorities to suspend traffic on the highway, the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.

Hundreds of passenger vehicles, besides trucks, loaded with essential commodities are stranded on the highway since yesterday afternoon, the sources added.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) responsible for the maintenance of the highway have pressed sophisticated machines and men in to service to clear the highway.

Sources said the highway is expected to reopen this afternoon.

However, only stranded vehicles would be allowed to proceed towards their respective destinations, they said adding no vehicles would be allowed from Jammu or Srinagar today.

UNI