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Highway blocked, MET predicts more snow, rains

FARZANA SYED. Dated: 3/7/2015 12:26:13 AM

SRINAGAR, Mar 6: Jammu Srinagar national highway remained closed for the fifth consecutive day today. The highway which forms the only connecting link between valley and the rest of the country stands blocked due to the occurrence of landslides at several places along the route.
According to the officials at traffic department the work on clearing the road off the landslides was going on. The 300 km long national highway was closed for the vehicular traffic on March 2 in view of the landslides triggered due to incessant rains and snowfall for past one week.
“Jammu Srinagar national highway remained closed for traffic today due to the blockade caused by landslides at several places. The recent snow/rains had resulted in landslides at various places due to which the authorities had to close the road for traffic. The blockade continued at many places which have been cleared off however few areas are still left with debris. The road has been cleared off the snow and the debris are also being cleared,” a senior official at department of traffic revealed.
He added, “The recent rainfall resulted in occurrence of landslides at many areas including Gamroo, Udhampur and Ramban. The clearance work is going on. Highway is being cleared off the debris so that the vehicular traffic may resume as soon as possible. But we are not sure how long will it take. We have deployed workers and the machinery for the immediate clearance of the road.”
Meanwhile, state metreological department has predicted more rains during next 24 hours. The spokesperson at MET department said snow/ rains may occur on higher reaches and plain areas across the state.
“The western disturbances are still effective in the state. There are possibilities of light to moderate snow/rains at several places across the state including Jammu and Ladakh divisions. Light to moderate snowfall may occur on higher reaches while as moderate to heavy snow/rains are expected at various places in the state,” spokesperson at MET department said.
He said weather is likely to remain unchanged during the next week.
“The present weather condition may continue for more than a week. More downpour may cause a decline in maximum temperatures. There is possibility that Snow/rains may occur at isolated places in valley during next 24 hours also,” spokesperson at MET department revealed.