Kashmir highway closed on third straight day

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JAMMU: The strategic 300 km-long Srinagar-Jamu highway road remained closed for the third consecutive day on Friday due to heavy snowfall and landslides, police said.

No traffic was allowed on the highway on Friday due to multiple avalanches in the Banihal area and landslides in the Ramsoo-Ramban area.

Avalanches that occurred between Qazigund and Jawahar Tunnel those are yet to be cleared, traffic department officials said.

Incessant rain in Ramsoo-Ramban triggered landslides at Panthal, Anokhi Falls and Battery Chashma.

Fearing that the restoration of the highway could take at least three more days, the divisional administration has ordered rationing of petrol and diesel in the valley.

An order issued by Baseer Ahmad Khan, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir has directed petrol pumps not to supply more than three litres of petrol per vehicle per day and just 10 litres of diesel to commercial vehicles until further orders.

Air traffic has also remained suspended on Friday between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of the country due to heavy snowfall and poor visibility.

Meanwhile, the MET office has forecast an improvement in the weather conditions as the western disturbance causing heavy rain and snow in the state is expected to move away Friday evening.