Jammu-Srinagar National Highway closed following moderate snowfall

BANIHAL/JAMMU: The 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed on Thursday evening following moderate snowfall in and around Jawahar Tunnel, the gateway to Kashmir valley, the traffic department said.

About one feet of snow had accumulated at the tunnel on the Kashmir side till 7 pm, forcing suspension of the vehicular traffic on the highway, the only all weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, the official said.

The high altitude areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh including the famous ski resort of Gulmarg experienced moderate snowfall while the plains including the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar were lashed by rains since Thursday afternoon.

The weatherman has issued an orange warning for the Union Territories for Thursday and Friday, forecasting moderate to heavy snowfall and rain caused by Western Disturbances which had hit the region on Wednesday. (AGENCIES)