M A I N   N E W S

15 stranded at Battal; Leh highway closed
Tribune News Service

SHIMLA, Nov 22 — At least 15 persons were stranded at Battal near the Kunzum Pass which got closed today due to snowfall.

Reports said that a rescue team had been despatched to the spot.

The Kunzum Pass is the link between Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts. This route was being followed these days as the national highway between Shimla and Kinnaur was badly damaged due to flashfloods in August.

Reports said that the Rohtang Pass, which was closed following a snowfall about four days ago, was yet to be re-opened.

Meanwhile, the Shimla town, Dharamsala, Palampur and many other places were in the grip of a cold wave.

SRINAGAR (UNI): The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh National Highway has been closed for winter as upper reaches of the Kashmir valley were receiving fresh snowfall while plains were having light rains since late Tuesday night.

A traffic police official told UNI that the Srinagar-Leh National Highway was closed for vehicular traffic for winter because of heavy snowfall at several places.

Reports said that the Zojila Pass recorded about 1 to 2 ft snowfall while Sonamarg and Gomri had a few inches of snow since Tuesday morning.

The world-famous ski resort of Gulmarg, Khilanmarg and tourist spots of Pahalgam, Yusmarg, Deksum and Ahrabal also experienced fresh snowfall resulting in considerable drop in the temperature.

Srinagar and its adjoining areas were having rains since early Wednesday morning, resulting in cold.

The highway, which is usually closed for traffic from November 1, every year, remained open till November 20 because of good weather conditions.