Srinagar-Jammu NH reopens partially

NEW DELHI: After remaining cut off for two consecutive days due to heavy snowfall, the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopened partially for traffic today, even as dense fog led to delay of nearly 50 north-bound trains.
The Srinagar-Jammu Highway partially reopened for traffic after remaining blocked for two days due to heavy snowfall.
The Kashmir Valley got connected with the rest of the country as air traffic also resumed.
Air traffic at Srinagar Airport resumed today as flights were able to land and take-off following improvement in the weather.
The nearly 300-km arterial highway was cleared off the snow and the debris left behind by landslides at few places and stranded vehicles were allowed to proceed towards Srinagar. Officials said the traffic would be allowed on Monday if weather permits.
The work to restore traffic on the highway continued in full swing earlier. Men and machinery of the Border Road Organisation (BRO) cleaned up the snow and debris.
Heavy snowfall was witnessed on Friday at Jawahar tunnel, Banihal and Patnitop areas along the highway and the hills of Bhaderwah, Kathua, Kishtwar and Ramban.
During the last 24 hours, Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, which serves as a base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, recorded 10 cm of snow. Other places which received snowfall during the last 24 hours were Gulmarg and Kokernag.
Some other places received rains.
Meanwhile, a medium danger avalanche warning was issued today for some avalanche-prone districts of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and people have been advised not to venture into such areas.
Chandigarh-based Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) issued the warning that would be valid for the 24 hours starting at 5 pm today.
A SASE advisory said the warning is for avalanche-prone areas in Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Doda, Poonch and Riyasi of Jammu and Kashmir.