Jammu & Kashmir highway re-opens for traffic

The 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar national highway reopened today after remaining closed for five consecutive days due to snowfall and landslides triggered by heavy rains.        The traffic on the arterial highway, the only surface link between Srinagar and the rest of the India, was allowed last evening for stranded vehicles only but today it was opened at both ends, police said.        The authorities took all precautions before allowing traffic Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment warned of avalanche at a 20-km stretch from Nowgam to Lower Munda yesterday.        Initially, stranded vehicles from Srinagar to Jammu were allowed and later those from Jammu to Srinagar were allowed to move towards their respective destinations.        Around 1,900 vehicles were stranded at different points on the highway.        Meanwhile, Batote-Doda road also re-opened after a stretch was made motorable at Assar.        However, Doda-Kishtwar road continued to remain blocked due to landslides at Thathri.        Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road is closed for last four days due to landslides triggered by heavy rains in the area.