Kashmir highway closed, fresh snowfall at Gulmarg

Srinagar, Mar 20 (UNI) The Kashmir valley was cut off from the rest of the country as the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed yet again this morning following landslides and shooting of stones, triggered by heavy rains between Ramban and Ramsu.

While the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced about one feet of fresh snowfall, the plains, including Srinagar city had rains disrupting normal life.

Sources said the Border Roads Organisation, responsible for the maintenance of the only road linking Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, had pressed into service sophisticated machines to clear the highway.

However, there was a threat of shooting of stones, forcing authorities to stop traffic till the danger is over, sources said adding continued rains may cause more landslides.

No vehicle would be allowed to leave from Jammu or Sriangar today. However, in case the road was put through, only stranded vehicles would be allowed to move towards their respective destinations, sources added.

The authorities had allowed two-way traffic yesterday leading to traffic jams at several places, according to eyewitnesses.

They said hundreds of vehicles, including trucks loaded with essential commodities were stranded on the highway till late in the night.

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