One-way traffic resumed on Kashmir highway

Srinagar, Nov 23 (UNI) One-way traffic was today restored on the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu national highway which was closed for traffic due to landslides and shooting of stones yesterday.

A traffic police official said vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar were allowed today after the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) responsible for the maintainance of the highway cleared the landslides at Penthal.

The highway, the only road linking the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, was closed yesterday morning following landslides and shooting of stones, triggered by heavy rains between Ramban and Ramsu.

Hundreds of vehicles, including trucks loaded with essential commodities and fruits, stranded on both side of the Jawahar tunnel, were cleared last night and early this morning.

Meanwhile, the entire Kashmir valley remained under the grip of severe cold following fresh snowfall on the upper reaches and rains in plains, resulting in considerable drop in temperature.

Several areas, including Methan, Lal Nagar, Gulsha Nagar, Badshah Nagar, Natipora and Azad Basti were under water, making the movement almost impossible.

UNI BAS PK DS1530