LEEPA (Kashmir English): Heavy snowfall and avalanche on Saturday led to the complete closure of Reshian-Leepa Valley Road, as a result of which traffic has been suspended.
According to details, the road was blocked at several places at around 12 pm today due to the avalanche. Three vehicles that left Reshian for Leepa have stopped at kilometer number 9 due to an avalanche.
While the Highway Department was clearing the road, another glacier suddenly came, due to which the department’s heavy machinery, including a chain dozer, also got stuck in the snow.
Fortunately, the chain dozer operator Shabbir managed to escape safely.
According to sources, the officials have been instructed to move the machinery to safe places and take shelter in the Pak Army camp in Midway and wait for the weather to improve.
Drivers have also been instructed to park their vehicles in safe places and return to avoid any further loss of life.
According to the Meteorological Department, the snowfall is likely to continue for the next 12 hours, which may result in 3 feet or more of snow.
In such conditions, it will take more than a day to restore the road, the officials said.
It should be noted that at present, one and a half feet of snow has fallen in the valley, while feet have fallen in many places on the top of the hills, due to which there is also a risk of further avalanches.
Raja Masroor, SDO Highway Department Jhelum Valley, has directed the citizens to be cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.
