Jammu-Srinagar Highway closes due to massive landslides; 700 vehicles stranded

The 300-km long Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only link of the valley with rest of the country was closed today after heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides at several places on the road, officials said. More than 700 light motor vehicles were also left stranded on the highway.

"The road was thrown open for the movement of light motor vehicles in the morning, however heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides at several places closed the highway," the officer said.

He said that stranded vehicles were sent to Ramban where "more than 500 people have been provided with shelter and foot at by the civil administration and the police".

He said that the weather continues to remain unpleasant which was badly hampering the restoration work at the highway.

"The continuous rainfall has been triggering more landslides at Ramsoo, Nasri and Motherkot, which is badly hampering the road clearing operation," he said.

He said that the Batote Kishtwar highway was also closed for vehicular traffic after heavy rainfall triggered massive landslides at several places.