The 434 kilometres long occupied Srinagar-Leh highway was closed for winter due to heavy snowfall and slippery road in occupied Kashmir. According to Kashmir Media Service, Kokernag was the coldest in the occupied territory where the minimum temperature was minus 2 degree, while people in Ladakhregion continued to shiver due to below-freezing temperature.
"We have put total ban on any traffic movement on the Srinagar-Leh highway because of slippery road conditions and heavy snowfall, official sources said here. The sources said due to the minus temperature, snow on the highway from Sonamarg to Matayan got frozen during last night, making the traffic movement impossible. The freezing snow did not melt even during the day when the temperature remained low, they added.
The highway was to close on November 1 for winter but due to the dry weather it was decided to allow traffic movement on the highway till weather permitted. However, on November 10, there was heavy snowfall, forcing the authorities to close the highway from both sides. As the road has became very risky following slippery conditions and snow, it had been decided to close the highway for winter and would be reopened next year, the sources said.
People in Leh continued to witness severe cold as the minimum temperature was recorded minus 8.4 degree, while it was minus 3.8 degree in Kargil. However, temperature in hilly areas and Drass, the world's coldest place after Siberia, was minus 5 degree to minus 18 degree.