Jammu-Srinagar highway shut due to snowfall, landslides; vehicles halted at Udhampur

UDHAMPUR: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed due to accumulated snow in the region between Ramsoo and Qazigund, while falling rocks, landslides and mudslides have blocked the stretch from Nashri to the NAVYUG Tunnel, officials said on Friday.

Numerous vehicles, comprising trucks, passenger vehicles and buses, are currently stranded at Jakhin Udhampur.
Due to the highway closure, Traffic Police have restricted all vehicular movement beyond Jakhani.
Concurrently, Uttarakhand's capital, Dehradun, experiences a new round of rainfall, whilst the districts of Doda and Bhalesa report substantial snowfall.

The BRO personnel conducted snow removal operations on the Srinagar airport runway following fresh snowfall in the area today.
The region has experienced persistent precipitation, including rain and snow, over the past 36 hours, causing temperatures to plummet significantly.

Notably, local farmers have welcomed this unusual snowfall in the region. While earlier snowfall had worried farmers and fruit growers about possible monetary damages, the present snowfall seems advantageous for their agricultural activities.
Heavy snowfall has covered Lahaul and Spiti with a substantial layer of snow, as fresh snowfall continues in these regions.
The Lahaul and Spiti Police released an avalanche warning on February 28 for the area.
From February 26 to February 28, authorities issued an orange alert across four districts of Himachal Pradesh, following Jammu and Kashmir's warning. These districts - Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi - are likely to receive significant precipitation, including rain and snow.
The regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are experiencing persistent snowfall and rainfall, alongside avalanche risks. The Udhampur district of J-K has been receiving continuous rainfall for two days, with forecasts suggesting similar conditions until February 28.