The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only all-weather surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with rest of the country, was opened for traffic on Saturday, five days after the road was closed in the wake of landslides.
“The highway was opened for traffic today and one-way traffic was allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar,” a traffic control room spokesman said.
The highway was closed for traffic on Monday in the wake of landslides at various places along the arterial road.
KashmirValley experienced heavy rains and snowfall on Monday, which was also the first heavy snowfall in the plains including summer capital Srinagar. Intermittent rains and snow continued for most of the week at many places along the route leading to more landslides and further deterioration of the highway.
The traffic on the highway was stopped as the road was deemed risky due to landslides. Despite efforts, the road could not be opened for five days and traffic was allowed for the first time on Saturday.
The Meteorological Department has said the weather would be unpredictable for one week with increased precipitation from March 8.
“There is possibility of widespread rains or snowfall on March 8 and 9 with heavy falls in the higher reaches of the state,” a MET department spokesman said.
Image: Trucks lined up on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. The road was shut to traffic owing to the heavy snow and landslide warnings. Photograph: PTI photo
