Jammu-Srinagar highway shut for fourth day

The strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for traffic on Saturday for the fourth consecutive day due to landslides.

"We are clearing the landslide debris at Magarkoot and near the Battery Cheshma in Ramban district. The road is likely to be opened for vehicular traffic later today (Saturday)," a senior traffic department official told IANS in Jammu.

After over a week, Jammu city had a clear sky on Saturday and the weather in the valley also improved considerably.

"The flood threat is over. All major and minor rivers and water bodies are flowing normally today in the valley," said an official of the flood control department.

Sonam Lotus, director of the local weather office told IANS that the weather is likely to remain dry during the next four days.

"We are expecting dry weather in the state during the next three to four days," Lotus said.

Meanwhile, scores of Kashmiris stranded in Jammu have appealed the authorities to arrange Air Force sorties for them so that they can return home.