GANDERBAL, April 19 -- The Srinagar-Ladakh highway remained closed for the second consecutive day on Saturday, leaving around 500 passenger and goods vehicles stranded in Sonamarg and Minimarg following fresh snowfall and avalanche threats in the Zojila sector.

Officials said heavy rainfall in the Kashmir plains and fresh snowfall in Zojila, Minimarg and Gumri forced authorities to suspend traffic on the strategic highway due to slippery road conditions and multiple avalanches.

Chaudhary Liaqat Ali said snowfall in Gumri and Zojila compelled authorities to suspend traffic as a precautionary measure.

He said avalanches had occurred at several locations in Zojila after fresh snowfall and, in view of the prevailing weather conditions, no ...