Srinagar-Jammu highway closed for traffic

Srinagar, Jan 29 : Highway connectivity between Srinagar and Jammu was snapped Friday and will remain suspended Saturday following the heaviest snowfall of the season.

The Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed after heavy snowfall in the Jawahar tunnel area rendered it unmotorable.

"The Srinagar-Jammu highway, which was closed today because of snow and slippery road conditions in the Jawahar tunnel area this morning, will remain closed tomorrow as well because of fresh snowfall in the evening," Alok Kumar, senior superintendent of police (National Highway) said.

"There are around 500 vehicles on the highway between Udhampur and Banihal towns, including passenger vehicles, but all of these are at safe places and the administration has taken adequate measures to provide all assistance to the stranded passengers," he said.

The Valley has been receiving rainfall and snow since Friday morning. Heavy snowfall started here in the evening with reports of two feet snow accumulating on the ground in Gulmarg tourist resort, and one foot each in Pahalgam and Sonamarg hill stations.

An official of the local weather office told IANS Friday evening that the snowfall is likely to stop with the weather showing signs of improvement Saturday morning.

Friday's snowfall, which is the heaviest received so far this month has come as a big relief for the locals.

"It will replenish the perennial water reservoirs of the Valley which ensure a steady flow in the Valley's rivers during the summer months," an official of the provincial administration said here.

The administration has been put on alert and control rooms set up at the district levels across the Valley to deal with any eventuality.

"Snow cutting machines were put into service in areas where there was heavy snowfall," the official said.