Srinagar-Jammu National Highway reopens for one-way traffic

The highway was closed for traffic since Monday in the wake of landslides at various places along the arterial road

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the only all-weather surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with rest of the country, was opened for traffic today, five days after the road was closed in the wake of landslides.

"The highway was opened for traffic today and one-way traffic was allowed to ply from Jammu to Srinagar," a Traffic Control Room spokesman said here.

The highway was closed for traffic on Monday in the wake of landslides at various places along the arterial road.

Kashmir Valley experienced heavy rains and snowfall on Monday, which was also the first heavy snowfall in the plains including summer capital Srinagar. Intermittent rains and snow continued for most of the week at many places along the route leading to more landslides and further deterioration of the highway.

The traffic on the highway was stopped as the road was deemed risky due to landslides. Despite efforts, the road could not be opened for five days and traffic was allowed for the first time today.

The Meteorological Department here has said the weather would be unpredictable for one week with increased precipitation from March 8.

"There is possibility of widespread rains or snowfall on March 8 and 9 with heavy falls in the higher reaches of the state," a MET Department spokesman said.