The Srinagar-Jammu highway shut by avalanche near Banihal tunnel and landslides at several place in Ramban area two days back continues to remain closed for third straight day.
Traffic officials overseeing the movement of the traffic connecting Kashmir with Jammu said ” vehicular movement won’t be allowed on the highway keeping in view the safety of travellers”
“The huge avalanche that hit the tunnel on the Qazigund side Tuesday this week is yet to be cleared.
“The avalanche could have caused a massive disaster had it hit the highway a few meters further north where all barracks of forces and the tunnel’s maintenance staff are located. Fortunately, no casualty was caused.
“The avalanche debris clearance operation will be started as soon as the weather improves, hopefully by today,” he said. “Till that time, no vehicular movement will be allowed.”
In addition to the snow avalanche, landslides also hit the highway during the last two days at Digdol, Panthal and Khoni Nallah.
The weather in Jammu and Kashmir improved on Wednesday morning after three days, said an official of the MeT department said in Srinagar.