Srinagar, Aug 13: Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway was suspended today after being blocked by multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains in Ramban and Udhampur districts, officials said.
However, Mughal road remained open for two-way traffic. Traffic was also suspended on Srinagar-Leh highway, but it resumed later in the day.
The nearly 270-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway was blocked by landslides at Seri in Ramban district and Kheri in Udhampur district, officials said.
They said no damage or casualty was reported in the landslides but it led to a massive traffic jam leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Over 300 vehicles were stranded at various places en route, they said.
The men and machines of BRO are working to clear the highway of landslides and make it trafficable, they said.
Traffic officials said the Mughal Road, connecting the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu region with south Kashmir’s Shopian district, was open for two-way traffic.
The traffic movement on Srinagar-Leh highway resumed today after remaining closed for two hours.
A traffic department official said that a landslide had hit Sonamarg-Drass stretch at Bajri Nallah area of Zojila pass at 9:30 am today forcing the closure of highway for about two hours.
An BRO official said the men and machinery was put on job to clear the road for traffic movement.
Yatra suspended from Jammu
Jammu, Aug 13: The Amarnath Yatra was suspended from Jammu today due to inclement weather, officials said.
The pilgrimage was suspended from Bagwatinagar base camp as heavy rains and bad weather resulted in the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, they said.
No pilgrim was allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine from Jammu, they said.
The 60-day annual Yatra commenced from the twin tracks on June 28 and it would conclude on August 26 coinciding with ‘Raksha Bandhan’ festival.
Till last evening, 2,78,878 pilgrims have paid their obeisance at the cave shrine.
However, the number of pilgrims undertaking the pilgrimage has witnessed sharp dip over the past fortnight due to the early melting of the naturally formed ice-lingam at the sanctum sanctorum.
