Kokernag-Sinthan-Kishtwar, Kokernag-Marwa-Warwan, and Mughal roads closed for traffic

Anantnag, Dec 27: As the higher reaches received the first major snowfall of this winter all roads connecting Kashmir with Chenab valley and Pirpanchal have been closed for traffic.

These include Kokernag- Sinthan-Kishtwar road; Kokernag-Marwa-Warwan road connecting south Kashmir's Anantnag district with Kishtwar district headquarters and twin valleys.

SDM Kokernag Suhail Sareen said that a fresh snowfall at Sinthan Top since early morning has led to the closure of the Kishtiwar route.

“The places like Lihanwan and Margan Top also received moderate snowfall due to which the road leading to twin valleys of Marwa and Warwan have also been shut,” he said.

SDM said it is likely that the roads will now remain permanently closed till March- April.

Another official said several villages on the Warwan side have also received light to moderate snowfall.

As the winter sets in both the roads remain closed for around six months due to the accumulation of snow.

Kishtwar is also connected to Srinagar–Jammu national highway via Doda.

However, the twin valleys of Marwa and Warwan spread over forty villages and a population of around 40,000 souls is not yet connected to the district headquarters of Kishtiwar.

Hence the 100-km long Daksum-- Margan top-Marwa road thrown open in the year 2007 and connecting it with Kokernag remains the only surface link to the outside world.

In the absence of a road facility, people have no choice but to trek to reach the main Kishtiwar or else wait till summer to travel via the Kokernag-Sinthan route.

Meanwhile, the Mughal road connecting Shopian with Rajouri and Poonch has also been closed for traffic.

“It has started snowing at various places including Peer Ki Gali leading to slippery conditions. As such the road has been closed for now,” an official said.