Srinagar/Jammu, Feb 22: Authorities on Wednesday closed the 300-km-long Srinagar-Jammu Highway for some time in the wake of landslides triggered by heavy rain in Ramban district. Traffic was later restored and only vehicles from Jammu to Srinagar will be allowed on the highway on Thursday.
“The highway was closed for vehicular traffic due to fresh landslides at three places en route the highway in Ramban district,” police officials told PTI.
Officials said the highway was later restored for traffic. “Although it was officially announced that the highway will remain closed due to landslides and shooting stones at various places on the highway but road was cleared for traffic by removing landslides and stones at Nachilana Pantihal, Khooni Nallah and Seri,” they said.
The Inspector General Traffic, Hemant Kumar Lohia told Greater Kashmir that there will be only one-way traffic on Thursday due to the complications along the route. “Due to an avalanche hitting the road, we did not allow the traffic from Jammu to Srinagar. However, almost 2500 vehicles traveling from Srinagar to Jammu were let through,” he said.
The IGP said on Thursday vehicles traveling from Jammu to Srinagar would be allowed but with conditions. “Light motor vehicles, trucks and passenger buses would be allowed from Jammu but they should reach Nagrota by 6 to 9 am and Udhampur 7:30 to 10:30 am,” he said.
The officials of Border Roads Organization (BRO) have been pressed in to clear the highway of the landslides to make it fit for traffic.
Meanwhile, on the basis of advisory issued by SASE, the Divisional Disaster Management Authority has issued medium danger avalanche warning for Keran, Machil, Chowkibal, Tangdhar, Gurez and Sonamarg area for the next 24 hours.
People living in these snow bound areas have been advised not to go near steep slopes and to take precautions.
Due to the continuing rains in the valley, residents of Kandi belt in Baramulla district and some parts of Uri are reeling under the severe threat of landslides. The area has also witnessed heavy landslides in April last year also, in which 11 houses were partially damaged. Heavy rains had also damaged orchards, they said.
“Every time when rains lash the area, the landslide threat looms large. However no measures are being taken to overcome the problem,” said Ashiq Hussain of Khudpora.
Local said the uninterrupted rains have increased the level of different streams in the area including Panzi Nallah.
The residents of Salamabad, Uri, while talking to Greater Kashmir complained that due to the heavy rains there was danger of a landslides and avalanches. The residents sought immediate action from the authorities.

SHEIKH NAZIR ADDS FROM KANGAN:
At least 10 mud houses were damaged when an avalanche hit Ramwari Gund village of Tehsil Kangan in Ganderbal district Wednesday evening. However no loss of life was reported.
“We left our homes after we heard a heavy sound, but thank God the avalanche didn’t reach our homes but stopped just hundred feet away. But the impact of the wind damaged our houses,” said Khanizaman Khan, a local resident.
“We are in constant fear of the safety of our families, we have no protection here and being close to the forest snow slides are common in this area,” he said.
DSP Kangan, Amit Kumar, said that a police party has been sent to the spot.
WITH INPUTS FROM ALTAF BABA AND PTI

Lastupdate on : Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST