Jammu-Srinagar, Srinagar-Leh Highways Remain Non-Operational For Second Day

Several tents of the temporary quarantine facility at Minimarg, Drass had been damaged due to snowfall putting a temporary halt to the Coronavirus testing on the highway.

Srinagar: As a result of heavy snowfall and landslide, the Jammu-Srinagar Highway and Srinagar-Leh remained closed for the second consecutive on Saturday. The 434 km long Srinagar-Leh highway was closed after Srinagar and Drass witnessed heavy rain and Zojila came under the grip of fresh snowfall. J&K and Ladakh have been lashed by heavy rains and snowfall during the last 24 hours. Several tents of the temporary quarantine facility at Minimarg, Drass had been damaged due to snowfall putting a temporary halt to the Coronavirus testing on the highway. According to Border Roads officials, fresh landslides and shooting stones were witnessed at several places in the Banihal-Ramban sector, including Pantiyal and Cafetaria Morh on Jammu Srinagar highway. The restoration work has been hampered by incessant rains and slides. Similarly, heavy snowfall in the Sonmarg-Zojilla belt has resulted in suspension of vehicular traffic on the Leh Highway as well. Zojilla received over one feet of fresh snowfall in the last 24 hours. Highway was closed on Friday after heavy snowfall in Zojilla and Minimarg areas. Srinagar based Meteorological office has said that incessant rains in the plains and snowfall in the upper reaches will continue till Sunday evening, as the whole area is witnessing a western disturbance presently. The number of positive cases of Covid-19 in the country has surpassed 14,378-mark ith 480 deaths  so far. J&K has reported 328 cases and Ladakh has 18 cases so far.