Lifeline Restored: Jammu-Srinagar Highway Partially Opens After Snowfall

After remaining blocked for one day due to snow and landslides, the traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was partially restored on Friday afternoon by the authorities concerned in Ramban.

Several vehicles were stranded due to the blockade in different areas, including Udhampur and Ramban. These vehicles were cleared on priority by the traffic police.

An official of the traffic police said the highway traffic had been partially restored and stranded vehicles were being cleared. “Commuters are advised to drive cautiously as a portion of the road near Sherbibi is single lane and also slippery on a number of spots,” he said.

Salt was sprinkled at many places near Ramsoo and Banihal in Ramban to melt the snow accumulated on the highway. The restoration work on the landslide-hit sites continued at Kishtwari Pather, Sherbibi, Magerkote, Mehad-Cafeteria and Dalwas in Ramban.

Earlier, hundreds of vehicles were stranded at different places on the highway.

Meanwhile, the J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) has issued an avalanche warning for many areas of the UT. A medium danger-level avalanche is likely to occur above 3,000 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch and Ramban districts in the next 24 hours, officials said in a statement. People living in these areas have been advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche-prone areas.

Avalanche warning for areas above 2,400 metres in Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara and Ganderbal has also been issued.

Road clearance work continues: The restoration work on the landslide-hit sites continued at Kishtwari Pather, Sherbibi, Magerkote, Mehad-cafeteria and Dalwas in Ramban.