Srinagar
Following the season’s first snowfall in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the traffic movement on Srinagar Jammu highway, the only road connecting Kashmir valley to rest of the world has been suspended for the precautionary measure, while as the historic Mughal road was closed a day before.
The traffic police spokesman said that Srinagar-Jammu highway was yesterday closed due to snowfall at Jawahar Tunnel and landslides, shooting stones at various places. He said that decision regarding allowing of vehicles on NHW-44 shall be taken after the road is cleared off by concerned road maintenance agencies and after assessing weather and road conditions
Similarly, the historic Mughal road was closed yesterday for movement of traffic due to snowfall at Peer ki Gali. The decision regarding allowing the movement of traffic on Mughal road shall be taken after the road is cleared off by concerned road maintenance agency and after assessing weather/road condition itself, the spokesman said.
In this regard, People are requested to undertake a journey on the National Highway/Mughal Road only after confirming status of the road from TCU Srinagar (01942450022, 2485396), TCU Ramban (9419993745), TCU Jammu (01912459048, 9419147732) and PCR Jammu (0191-2544581, 2542000, 2542001, 2560401, 1090), PCR Srinagar (0194-22506504).
They shall also contact Traffic Police officers viz. SSP Traffic, Rural Kashmir (9419007686); SSP Traffic NHW (8082895567); Dy.SSP Traffic Udhampur/Reasi (9419138613); Ramban (9419284962); Banihal (9858512348) and Dy.SP Traffic, Kulgam/Qazigund (9697009080).
Pertinently, the minimum temperatures across the Kashmir Valley dropped below the freezing point. The temperature in Pahalgam was minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg minus 5.0, Leh minus 1.5 while Kargil was at minus 4.6.
Meanwhile, an official from the MeT department said that the weather is expected to improve from tomorrow inwards.
Earlier reports suggested that over 100 persons, mostly truckers, were rescued from Peer Ki Gali along the Mughal road.
