Jammu-Srinagar highway closed after heavy snowfall

In the wake of heavy rain and snowfall, the 300-kilometre long Jammu-Srinagar national highway which is the only surface link between Kashmir and rest of the country, on Monday remained closed for vehicular traffic.

“The continuous rain and snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir for the past 24 hours has forced the closure of the Jammu Srinagar national highway,” a senior traffic police officer said.

Authorities have already extended the winter vacation in Kashmir valley. “The same weather pattern will continue till Monday evening, though the intensity will be less. The weather will improve on Tuesday,” an official of the local meteorological office told Rediff.com.

Monday’s heavy snowfall though late is going to help replenish the glacial mass in the upper reaches of the Valley to keep the waterways brimming with crystal clear water during the coming summer months and help the agricultural and horticulture industries were the outlook had become pessimist following the dry winter.

The harshest period of winter locally called ‘Chillai Kalan’ unusually remained snowless with sunny days.

The Valley received mild snowfalls that too in February badly affecting the winter tourism. The famous north Kashmir ski resort of Gulmarg received some snow in February hampering winter sports activities.

-- With inputs from PTI