Rains, snowfall close highways in Jammu and Kashmir

The strategic Jammu-Srinagar, Srinagar-Leh and some other highways in Jammu and Kashmir were closed on Thursday following heavy rains and fresh snowfall in the area.

"Heavy rains during the last 24 hours have triggered landslides and shooting stones in Ramsoo and Magarkote areas of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district," a senior official of the traffic department here told IANS, adding "This has forced closure of the highway."

"About 500 vehicles including trucks carrying supplies to the Kashmir Valley and passengers vehicles are stranded on the highway, but all of these vehicles are parked at safe places."

The official also said fresh snowfall in Pir Ki Gali area of the historic Mughal Road connecting the Rajouri district of Jammu region with the Kashmir Valley has also forced closure of this highway.

There was snowfall also in the Zojilla Pass stretch of the Srinagar-Leh highway that connects the Ladakh region with the rest of the country.

"Over two feet deep snow has accumulated on the Zojilla Pass on Srinagar-Leh highway. Traffic will not be allowed on the highway till further orders", the officer said.

Jammu region's has Sinthan Pass road that connects Kishtwar district with the Valley has also been closed.

Meanwhile, the MET office has forecast improvement in overall weather conditions in the state from later in the day.