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Jammu-Srinagar highway reopens

Sword-like icicles hang from a hotel roof at a health resort at Gulmarg, about 51 km from Srinagar, on Sunday. — Tribune Photo Amin War

Srinagar, December 28
The Valley was limping back to normalcy today after being battered by heavy snow yesterday, which had cut off the Valley from the rest of the country.

Bright sun shone in Srinagar today bringing respite to people from the biting cold wave following heavy snow in the higher reaches as well as in the plains.

Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway which was temporarily suspended yesterday was resumed today.

A spokesman for traffic control said the arterial road witnessed normal traffic today. Heavy snow had rendered the stretch from Qazigund to Jawahar tunnel unsafe yesterday.

Air services to and from Srinagar also resumed today after remaining suspended yesterday.

All 413 Haj pilgrims who were held up here since yesterday, today left for Jeddah by two special aircraft of the Indian Airlines, sources said.

CHANDIGARH: Cold wave conditions continued to prevail in Punjab and Haryana on Sunday and train services on the Delhi-Ambala-Kalka section of Northern Railway were affected due to dense fog.

Railway sources here said some trains on the Amritsar-Delhi route were cancelled due to the fog.

The mid and higher hills of Himachal reeled under piercing cold wave conditions as the mercury dipped below the freezing point following sleet, rain and snow in the tribal belt during the past 24 hours.

The temperature dropped to -2° C in upper parts of Shimla, resulting in the freezing of water pipes. Thick ground frost occurred in the mid hills, hampering vehicular movement.

Shimla had a clear day but the pale sun failed to warm up the region.

The tribal valleys of Lahaul, Spiti and Pangi groaned under freezing cold wave conditions as the minimum temperature stayed between -10° C and -20°C. — PTI