Landslides close Jammu-Srinagar highway; Amarnath Yatra suspended

Jul 28, 2016, 09:41 IST

Jammu: The strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed on Thursday due to landslides, resulting in the suspension of Amarnath Yatra.

The over 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar highway is the lifeline of supplies for the landlocked Kashmir Valley and the only surface link for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to reach the valley.

The yatra will remain suspended till the highway is cleared of debris, officials said.

The landslides were triggered by incessant rains in Ramban district, a senior official of the traffic department said, adding that the yatra has been suspended till the highway is restored for traffic. The over 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar highway is the lifeline of supplies for the landlocked Kashmir Valley and the only surface link for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to reach the valley. Incessant rains in Jammu has swollen most rivers in the region.

Three persons including two children in Janipur area of Jammu city and a woman in Rajouri district were killed by flash floods on Wednesday.

IANS