Bad weather closes Jammu-Srinagar highway

SRINAGAR - The strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic Monday morning due to shooting stones in the Panthal area of Ramban district.

Incessant rains at night triggered shooting stones. For the safety of passengers and vehicles, we have closed the road for traffic,” an officer of the traffic department said here.

The decision would be reviewed after the weather improves.

The Panthal road stretch, falling almost midway on the 300-km highway, is the most vulnerable because rains often trigger landslides and shooting stones from the mountainside.

Meanwhile, the weather office said widespread rains would occur in Jammu and Kashmir because of a western disturbance.

Authorities have also issued avalanche warnings for people living in the higher reaches.

People in higher reaches have been asked to move with extreme caution, especially in avalanche-prone areas, said Amir Ali, who heads the disaster management cell here.