Aadil Abdullah
Bandipora, March 19, KNT: Heavy snowfall in the upper reaches of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district has led to the closure of the 85-km Bandipora–Gurez road and the Gurez–Tulail route, officials said on Thursday.
Authorities suspended vehicular movement on both routes after fresh snowfall rendered the roads unsafe, cutting off the remote Gurez and Tulail valleys from the rest of the Valley.
The snowfall continued heavily in the region through Thursday, worsening conditions and reducing visibility, officials said.
The closure of the key mountain routes has disrupted connectivity to the frontier areas, which rely heavily on road access for essential supplies and movement.
Officials said the decision to suspend traffic was taken as a precautionary measure amid the risk of avalanches, slippery surfaces and accumulation of snow along the high-altitude stretches.
“The road has been closed due to heavy snowfall and unsafe conditions. Snowfall is still continuing in the area,” an official said.
Local authorities and road maintenance agencies are monitoring the situation, but immediate restoration of traffic remains uncertain as weather conditions continue to deteriorate.
Residents in Gurez said the snowfall has intensified since morning, blanketing the valley and surrounding mountains under thick layers of snow.
“It has been snowing heavily. The entire area is covered, and movement has become difficult,” said a local resident.
Officials said that if weather improves, snow clearance operations would be initiated to restore connectivity, though it may take time given the extent of snowfall.
The Bandipora–Gurez road, which passes through the Razdan Pass, is particularly vulnerable to closure during heavy snowfall due to its high altitude and avalanche-prone zones.
Gurez valley, located close to the Line of Control, remains cut off for several months during peak winter, and such fresh spells often lead to temporary re-isolation even towards the end of the season.
Authorities have advised locals and travelers to avoid movement in upper reaches and adhere to safety advisories until conditions stabilize. [KNT]
