Rain, snow cutoff Kashmir again

Srinagar, Mar 2: Fresh landslides, rains and snow at several places on Saturday blocked Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the world, leaving more than 4,000 vehicles, including passenger ones, stranded at various places along the thoroughfare.
“Today traffic movement affected on Jammu Srinagar Highway due to landslides/shooting stones between Ramban- Banihal stretch. MeT Deptt. predicted more rain in next 24 hours in J&K may lead to disruption on highway,” a traffic department official said, adding, “Subject to fair weather/ clearance of road tomorrow on 03.03.2019 only stranded vehicles shall be allowed towards Srinagar. In-charge TCP Nagrota/Udhampur shall remain in constant touch with TCU Ramban (seek weather/road condition report) before allowing the vehicles towards Srinagar and release the vehicles in groups not in bulk.”
The highway was opened for Kashmir-bound vehicles early morning after remaining closed for the past five days.
However, the official said that the highway was blocked by landslides at Panthiyal around 1300 hours and constant shooting stones did not allow the concerned agencies to carry out the road clearance operation.
Reports said more than 4,000 vehicles, including passenger vehicles, are stranded at various places, the official said, adding that a large number of vehicles returned to Jammu from Udhampur and other places after they were informed that it will take some time to clear the debris.