Sunday, January 15 2006 15:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Kashmir was cut off from rest of the country as heavy snowfall lashed the valley covering it with white sheet, forcing closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway and cancellation of all incoming and outgoing flights.

The 300-km highway, the only road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was shut this morning following heavy overnight snowing around the Jawahar tunnel in Qazigund area.

Rains between Batote and Ramban also triggered mudslides at some places blocking the road, official sources said.

No vehicle was allowed from either side of the tunnel following accumulation of snow at several places on the highway, they said.

About half-a-ft of snow accumulated on the highway, which opened to traffic recently after remaining closed for several days.

Snow covered the runway at the Srinagar airport forcing cancellation of all incoming and outgoing flights.

A number of people, who came to the valley to celebrate Eid with their families, were seen frantically enquiring about the flight schedule.

This was the second time in the past fortnight that Kashmir valley was cut off from rest of the country.

Tourists resorts Gulmarg and Pahalgam in the valley were buried under four to five feet of snow.

Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama, Anantnag, Budgam and other places received moderate to heavy snowfall which began last evening.