Heavy snowfall, mudslides force closure of Kashmir highway, Mughal road

An area is snowcapped as the Machil sector receives fresh snowfall, at Sadhna Top, in Kupwara on Friday. ANI Photo

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway or the Kashmir highway, the only all weather road connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the world, and the Mughal road were shut due to mudslides and heavy snowfall as most of the high-altitude areas on Friday received fresh snowfall while plains of the Jammu region experienced heavy rains, triggering cold wave conditions.

The highway was closed for traffic due to mudslides at Mehar area in Ramban and heavy snowfall forced closure of the Mughal Road, an alternative link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the world, news agency PTI reported quoting officials. "The highway is blocked for vehicular movement at Mehar in Ramban. All types of vehicular movement are stopped. Commuters are advised not to travel till restoration is carried out," a traffic police officer said.

More than 200 vehicles are stranded at various places enroute and have been asked to halt their vehicles at safe places, they said.

The Mughal road, which connects the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu with south Kashmir's Shopian district, is closed for vehicular traffic for a second consecutive day in view of the snowfall between Poshana and Peer Ki Gali, they said.

Many areas, especially the higher reaches, of Kashmir received snowfall while rains lashed the plains on Friday, leading to the closure of national highways connecting the valley with the rest of the world, officials said.

Light to moderate snowfall and rain are going on over the higher reaches at most places of Jammu and Kashmir, the Meteorological Department officials said.

They said light snowfall was recorded in many areas in the plains as well.

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The higher reaches which received snowfall included the famous tourist destination of Gulmarg, Gurez, Sonamarg, Zojilla Axis, Sadhna Pass, Machil, Pharkian Gali, Razdan Top, Z-Gali, Sinthan Pass, and Margan Top, the officials said.

They said the plains in Kulgam and Budgam also received light snowfall, they added.

Most other areas in the plains of the valley were lashed by rains.

The inclement weather led to the closure of vital roads connecting various far-off places with Srinagar as well as national highways connecting the valley with the rest of the country, the officials said.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway ¿ the only all-weather road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country -- was closed for traffic due to landslides in Ramban, the officials said.

They said Mughal Road the valley's alternate road link with Jammu was also closed for traffic.

The Srinagar-Leh highway was shut for traffic due to snowfall and slippery conditions along the Zojilla Axis, the officials said.

The Gurez-Bandipora road, as well the Sinthan Top were also closed for traffic due to the accumulation of snow.

The MeT office has said there would be a gradual decrease in precipitation from late afternoon onwards.

From November 11 to 17, the weather would stay mainly dry with warmer days, according to the forecast. (With inputs from agencies)