Kashmir cut-off from rest of country due to highway closure

Srinagar, Aug 4 (UNI) The Kashmir valley was cut off from the rest of the country after the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway was closed due to landsides and mudslides triggered by heavy rains since this morning.

However, the 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh national highway was through for traffic and all incoming and ongoing flights operated normally, official sources said.

Official sources told UNI that the highway was closed for traffic after landslides and mudlides occurred between Ramban and Ramsu due to heavy rains since early morning.

They said hundreds of vehicles, including truck loaded with essential commodities and passenger buses are stranded on the highway.

The Border Road Organisation (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the highway, the only road linking the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, have pressed into service sophisticated machines and men to clear the highway as early as possible.

Sources said the stranded vehicles would be allowed to move towards their respective destinations once a green signal is received from the traffic police and BRO deployed on the highway.

A traffic police official said here that the Srinagar-Leh highway was through for traffic despite rains at several places, including at Zojila and Gomri.

All incoming and outgoing flights from Srinagar operated normally.

However, traffic movement in the Srinagar city was disrupted because of flooded roads caused by heavy rains since last night.

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