Jammu and Kashmir Witnesses Closure of Mughal Road due to Fresh Snowfall

Guwahati: Mughal road, connecting the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu was closed for traffic as the region experienced a fresh snowfall. The roads were closed as a precautionary measure for the safety of the locals.

Various high-altitude areas, like Peer Ki Gali and the Mughal road, experienced light snowfall since Sunday night. The constant snowfall in the region along with a forecast for snowfall to continue for the next three days, Sub-divisional Magistrate Surankote Saleem Ahmad ordered the closure of the Mughal road for three days.

Ahmad says, "...because of the snowfall from November 1 to 3 at Peer Ki Gali, a number of private and commercial vehicles got stranded on the road, putting the lives of commuters at risk. After tremendous efforts by the police and army more than 100 people were rescued."

He further added, "Keeping in view the above incident and inclement weather conditions and forecast of snow, the vehicular movement stands suspended on the Mughal road with effect from November 12 to November 14."

It was only on Saturday when the Mughal road was opened for one-way traffic on Saturday. Remarkably, the road has been closed for eight days due to heavy snowfall along Peer Ki Gali. As per the prediction of the meteorological department, a widespread rain or snow is forecasted across the state till November 14.

State Meteorological Department Director Sonum Lotus said, "Chances of heavy rain or snow is very less, although, snowfall of 5 to 10 inches on mountains cannot be ruled out either."

Notably, it is the Jammu-Srinagar national highway which is the only all-weather road that connects Kashmir with rest of the country and is now open for one-way traffic.

Also read: First Seasonal Snowfall in Kashmir caused Heavy Damage to Apple Orchards