Srinagar: Heavy snowfall and torrential rains lashed several areas of Jammu and Kashmir for the second day today (Dec 14, 2003) forcing closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway for a few hours and further intensifying cold in the region.

The 300 km national highway, the only road link between Kashmir valley and the rest of the country, was closed for few hours this morning due to landslides near Seeri in Ramban area following rains, stranding around 200 vehicles, official sources said.

The landslides were removed and the traffic restored around 10.00 hours (IST), they said.

Heavy downpour continued in several areas of the state with Banihal recording 77.6 mm of rainfall followed by Batote with 54.4 mm and Qazigund 29.8 mm, a Meteorological Department official said. Srinagar and Jammu recorded 6.8 mm and 5.4 mm rainfall respectively.

Higher reaches of the valley like Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, hilly areas of Baramulla and Kupwara districts received fresh snowfall this morning (Dec 14, 2003).

Day temperatures plunged by a couple of degrees following snowfall and downpour, the Meteorological official said.

PTI