Landslides force closure of Jammu-Srinagar highway

Srinagar: The 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only surface link between Kashmir and rest of the country, was on Wednesday closed for vehicular traffic due to landslides triggered by rains in Ramban district.

"Landslides triggered by heavy rains blocked the highway at Gangroo, Panthal, Seri and Karool in the district. Hundreds of vehicles are stranded at various places," officials said.

Men and machines have been deployed to clear the highway of blockades and make it trafficable.

Many parts of Kashmir Valley were also lashed by rains. Srinagar gauged 24.3 mm, Pahalgam 19.6 mm, Gulmarg 19.2 mm, Kokernag 13.8, Qazigund 13.4 mm and Kupwara 7 mm of precipitation, the weatherman said, adding more rains are likely in the region tomorrow.