Saturday, February 12 2005 14:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was partially reopened today (Feb 12, 2005) paving the way for evacuation of 1100 of the stranded passengers despite inclement weather and a red alert to keep off the snow-bound area, officials said in Jammu.

"The highway has been partially re-opened for vehicular traffic as Jawahar tunnel, the main link between Srinagar and Jammu, which was blocked due to snow had been thrown open at around 11:00 hrs (ITS), today despite bad weather and red alert by the Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE)," Director Information (JK), Farooq Renzoo said today.

The avalanches and landslides, which struck the highway, have been cleared in the morning but fresh landslides have taken place in Ramsoo and Panthal areas on the highway, which the Border Road Organisation is working, round-the-clock to clear.

Renzoo, who alongwith divisional commissioner, IGP and IG, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are camping at Chanderkot on the highway to supervise rescue operation. 110 civilian vehicles have passed through the Jawahar tunnel towards Kashmir, he said.

As many as 1100 stranded passengers have been transported to Kashmir, he said adding that relief and rescue operations are going on a war-footing. However, there are around 1400 passengers still stranded in the area.

SASE has warned about fresh landslides and issued a red alert to keep off the area.