J-K National Highway closed for fifth consecutive day

The 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, continued to remain closed for the fourth consecutive day today following landslides triggered by heavy rain in the area.
"The national highway is closed for traffic and the road is being cleared of the debris due to the landslides at some places," a Traffic Department spokesman said here.
He said, the heavy rains and snowfall on Monday caused landslides at some places which forced the closure of the road.
"Landslides have occurred at Gumroo in Banihal and other places which led to the closure of the highway," he said.

Authorities are involved in relief work including clearing the debri from the road and a decision to open the highway would be taken later, official said.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has said, the weather would be freaky for one another week with increased precipitation from March 8.

The department predicted light rains or snow at some places in the plains with heavy falls in the higher reaches.
The divisional authorities have also issued a medium danger avalanche warning in some areas for today.
"The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir has has issued a weather advisory in the districts of Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara and Kargil and people are advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas during the said period," an official spokesman said.

He said, people are advised to temporarily evacuate those locations which are under fall line of avalanches during heavy snowfall.
The concerned Deputy Commissioners are also asked to take all precautionary measures to avert any untoward incident, the spokesman said.