Snowfall in J&K Shuts Srinagar-Jammu Highway; Disrupts Air, Road Traffic [PHOTOS]

Heavy snowfall in Jammu & Kashmir has turned worse on Monday, leading to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway. According to weather office, it forecast a heavy snowfall during the next 24 hours.

The continuous snowfall has also disrupted power supply, air and road traffic and resulted in poor visibility as well. Meanwhile, the officials are waiting for the snowfall to stop to begin the clearance operation.

"The Srinagar-Jammu highway has been closed because of more than three-feet deep snow on the highway in Bannihal and Batote sectors. Clearance operations will start after the snowfall stops," a senior official of the traffic department told IANS in Srinagar.

On the other hand, the snowfall has brought relief to the common man. Due to extended dry spell in January, farmers and orchardists were concerned.

The local weather office has forecast moderate snowfall in the plains and heavy in the higher reaches of Kashmir.

However, people living above 2,500 metres altitude were advised to avoid avalanche-prone areas after the local weather office predictions.

"The people are advised not to venture in avalanche prone areas from February 1 to 3, besides keep cleaning the snow deposition from roof tops of the houses and bankers to avoid any untoward incident during the snowfall," DNA quoted an official spokesman.