Fresh Snowfall Forces Closure of Bandipora–Gurez Road; Traffic Suspended at Razdan Pass
Bandipora, March 15, KNT: Vehicular movement on the strategic road connecting Bandipora district with the remote Gurez Valley in north Kashmir was suspended on Sunday after fresh snowfall at Razdan Pass made the route slippery and unsafe for travel, officials said.
Authorities said snowfall at the high-altitude Razdan Top led to reduced visibility and hazardous driving conditions, prompting the administration to halt traffic on the nearly 85-kilometre Bandipora–Gurez road as a precautionary measure.
The closure has temporarily cut off the main road link between Gurez Valley and the rest of Kashmir, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to weather disruptions during the winter months.
Officials said the decision to suspend traffic was taken after snowfall intensified at the mountain pass, where steep gradients and icy surfaces significantly increase the risk of accidents.
Mukhtar Ahmad, Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Gurez, told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that authorities acted to prevent any untoward incidents amid the deteriorating weather conditions.
“Due to fresh snowfall at Razdan Top, vehicular movement on the Bandipora–Gurez road shall remain suspended till further orders as a precautionary measure,” Ahmad said.
He said snow accumulation at the pass quickly made the road surface slippery, while intermittent snowfall and low visibility posed challenges for both drivers and snow-clearance teams.
The administration said that traffic will remain suspended until weather conditions improve and road clearance operations ensure safe passage for vehicles.
Meanwhile, several areas of Gurez Valley also witnessed fresh snowfall during the day, officials said.
Local authorities reported snowfall in Dawar, the main township of Gurez, as well as in parts of the Tulail Valley, adding to the winter conditions already prevailing in the high-altitude region.
Locals said fresh snow has blanketed large parts of the valley, slowing daily activities but also replenishing water sources that feed rivers and streams during the spring melt.
“Snowfall is part of life here, but whenever the Razdan road closes it makes travel difficult,” said a resident of Dawar, adding that locals usually depend on advance stocking of essential supplies during winter.
The Bandipora–Gurez road, which passes through Razdan Top at an altitude of more than 11,000 feet, serves as the only major road link connecting the remote valley with the rest of Kashmir through Bandipora district.
The route remains highly vulnerable to snowfall and landslides, particularly during winter and early spring, often forcing temporary suspensions of traffic.
Authorities said snow clearance teams remain on standby and will begin operations once weather conditions stabilise.
Commuters have been advised to follow official advisories and avoid travelling towards the Bandipora–Gurez road until traffic movement is formally restored. [KNT]
