High speed winds at Zojila Pass hampered traffic movement on Srinagar-Leh highway on Saturday.

Official sources said that the traffic movement on 434-km strategic Srinagar-Leh highway remained suspended for 12th consecutive days due to strong winds and heavy snowfall particularly at Zojila, Meenmarg, Sonamarg, Matayan, Zero Point and other adjacent areas.

Hundreds of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway since December 6, they said, adding that at Zojila Pass, around three feet snow has accumulated on the road while Border Road Organization (BRO) is also facing difficulties in clearing snow.

A traffic police official said that a number of vehicles from Sonamarg were brought back to Gagangeer. “Due to freezing temperatures in Sonamarg, the drivers were facing a lot of difficulties, after which the vehicles had to be returned to Gagangeer,” he said.

The BRO has set up a camp in Zojila near Bajri Nallah, Sonamarg, where from workers are operating, the official added.

SDM Drass Asgar Hussain said that due to accumulation of snow, the highway has been closed while the men and machinery have been pressed into service to clear the road. (GNS)