Srinagar, Nov 23: The Jammu-Srinagar Highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir valley with the outside world, was closed for traffic on Monday due to fresh snowfall and landslides along the several places on the thoroughfare, officials said. Also, Srinagar-Leh highway and Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch districts, was closed due to accumulation of snow, officials said.
Hundreds of vehicles have been stranded due to the closure of the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar highway due to landslides in Ramban district and snowfall at Jawahar tunnel. The authorities have pressed men and machinery into service to clear the thoroughfare.
The Mughal road was closed amid fresh snowfall along the thoroughfare early on Monday.
DySP Surankote Mohammed Khaliq Choudhary told GNS that the road has been closed as it was snowing in the area. “The road would be opened depending upon weather conditions”. Sources said that higher reaches of Pirpanjal mountain range received heavy snowfall since last night.
“Mughal road is closed due to snow accumulation,” traffic department said in an official communiqué.
Regarding Srinagar-Leh highway, the officials said it was also closed due to snow accumulation.
Meanwhile, most of the plain areas in Kashmir experienced the snowfall and rains. A weather office official here said light to moderate snow with heavy falls at isolated places. The famous ski-resort of Gulmarg recorded around six inches of fresh snowfall since overnight while Pahalgam tourist resort in south Kashmir recorded around five inches of snow. Srinagar also received snowfall mixed with rainfall almost throughout the day. Amid the inclement weather conditions, the day temperature witnessed a fall across the Valley, with Srinagar recording maximum of 3.7°C , almost 10°C below normal for this time of the year.
Qazigund recorded 4.9°C (9°C below), Pahalgam 2.7°C (8°C BW), Kupwara 4.2°C (9°C BW), Kokernag 4.6°C (7°C BW), Gulmarg 0.5°C (7°C BW), Anantnag4.9 (9°C BW), Shopian 3.0°C, , Ganderbal 2.4°C, Pulwama 5.7°C and Kulgam 4.0°C.
The weatherman has forecast widespread light to moderate rain and snow in Kashmir and Pirpanjal Range Of Jammu Division in next two days. (GNS)
