Srinagar: More than a thousand passengers are stranded on Srinagar-Jammu highway as the thoroughfare, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the world, remained closed on Friday for the second consecutive day due to fresh snowfall and landslides, officials said.
Traffic department officials said there has been fresh snowfall in the Bannihal area, and landslides at some places in the Bannihal-Ramban stretch of the road, leading to the closure of the highway.
Highway have witnessed fresh snow 1′-2′ feet at Banihal-Qazigund stretch due to which the road has been blocked,” a traffic department official said.
Further, he said, the rainfall in Banihal- Ramban stretch has also lead to landslide and shooting stones at many places like Anokhi fall, Kela Mode, Panthal etc.
“No traffic movement will be allowed on the highway on Friday except for the stranded vehicles and that too, only after the road is cleared,” the official added.
In view of the inclement weather as well as present road conditions, he said, the stranded passengers are advised not to travel on highway especially between Ramban to Qazigund. “The stranded vehicles would be allowed to proceed towards their destinations once the road is cleared,” he said, adding, “In view of the rain/snow in plains and other towns of the state, due to which the roads have become slippery, the general public is also advised take necessary precautions so as to avoid accidents and unnecessary road congestions.”
Report said that more 1000 passengers are stranded apart from over 3000 load carriers at several places along the highway.