The Jammu Srinagar highway was closed, on the 22nd of January, after a massive avalanche hit the Jawahar Tunnel situated on the highway.
The Jawahar Tunnel witnessed a heavy snowfall of approximately 2 feet. Apart from the Jawahar Tunnel, the heavy snowfall and landslides also hit the areas of Ramban district, Digdol, Panthal, Magarkote and Khoni Nallah in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Traffic Control Department of the State reported the snowfall and landslides, following which the strategic Jammu Srinagar highway was closed. The rescue team rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations and no casualties were reported yet.
According to a traffic official, “There has been fresh snowfall in Bannihal sector. Incessant rains are continuing in other parts of the highway. This is the second consecutive day of the highway remaining closed.” In addition, the official said, “No vehicular movement will be allowed on the highway today. Landslide clearance will be started only after the weather improves.”
Recently, on the 18th of January, five people died and five went missing after an avalanche hit a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) at Khardung La Pass in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.
The shut down of the Jammu Srinagar highway will disturb the daily routes taken by the locals, as the highway connects all the weather roads and links Jammu with the rest of the Country.
The concerned authorities of Jammu and Kashmir are clearing the snow off the roads and the rescue operations are still underway.
Stay tuned for further updates.
