Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district prompted the authorities to shut the 85-km Bandipora–Gurez road and the Gurez–Tulail route, officials said on Thursday.
Vehicular movement has been suspended on both routes after fresh snowfall made the roads unsafe. This has cut off the remote Gurez Valley and Tulail Valley from the rest of Kashmir.
Officials stated that the snowfall lashed throughout the day, making conditions worse and reducing visibility in the region. The shutting of these important routes has badly affected the connectivity to the frontier areas. These regions depend heavily on road access for critical supplies and daily movement.
Officials said the decision to stop traffic was taken as a precaution. There is a risk of avalanches, slippery roads, and heavy snow accumulation on high-altitude areas.
According to official, the road has been shut because of heavy snowfall and unsafe conditions. Snowfall is still continuing in the area. Road maintenance teams are keeping a close watch on the situation. However, restoring traffic immediately is unlikely as weather conditions continue to worsen.
Local residents said the snowfall has continued heavily since morning. The entire valley and surrounding mountains are now covered under thick layers of snow. Officials added that snow clearance work will only begin once the weather conditions improve. However, restoring connectivity may take time due to the heavy snowfall.
The Bandipora–Gurez road passes through Razdan Pass and is especially prone to closure during heavy snowfall because of its high altitude and avalanche-prone areas.
Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid movement in higher areas. They have also asked people to follow safety advisories until the weather improves.
Also read: Rain, snow to continue across J&K for next 36 hours
Follow us
