The 294-km long highway is of high importance as it connects Srinagar with the rest of the country. Snowfall has not only affected the road traffic but air traffic has also been hit hard. Flight operations at Srinagar Airport have been suspended till further notice due to accumulation of snow on the runway.
Reportedly, traffic from Srinagar was restricted at Anantnag, Awantipora and Qazigund, while the traffic from Jammu was stopped at Nagrota.
Besides this, Mughal road that connects Jammu’s Poonch district with Kashmir's Shopian area also remains closed.
Though local authorities have already swung into action for snow clearance but the continuous weather activity is hampering the efforts to re-open the highway.
Moreover, no relief is in offing as weathermen predict moderate to heavy rain and snow to continue over the state during the next 24 hours. According to Skymet Weather, two successive active Western Disturbances are moving across Jammu and Kashmir, giving good rains and snow of the region.
Moreover, another Western Disturbance is also approaching the state and is presently over Afghanistan and adjoining areas. With this, weather conditions are favourable for weather activity to continue over the state.
Meanwhile in plains, Jammu and Katra has been recording good rainfall under the influence of the system. As a result, day maximums have dropped significantly across the region.
Devotees travelling to Hindu Shrine Vaishno Devi this week will also have to reel under chilly weather conditions.
Image credit: ANI
Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com