MURREE: A huge landslide caused by heavy rainfall blocked the Rawalpindi-Murree-Kashmir (RMK) Highway near Lower Dewal on Monday, suspending all kind of traffic on the road.

Traffic police in Murree have displayed banners at the Lower Topa and Jhika Gali points on the highway advising commuters to use the alternative Bridle Road.

According to sources, the landslide had damaged a large portion of the highway and it would take time to repair the road because of the difficult terrain.

An official told Dawn that heavy machinery was being used to make an alternative route on a private piece of land on the highway. He expressed the hope that traffic on the highway would be restored in 24 hours.

APP adds: Heavy rainfall for the past three days has played havoc in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, damaging major road links and disrupting normal life.

The rain started on Friday and continued till Monday morning in the plains. Upper areas and peaks received snowfall, bringing back cold weather conditions.

Roads from Muzaffarabad to Kohala and Islamabad remained blocked at Kulian, Kohala and Abasian due to landslides.

The Muzaffarabad-Chakothi road was reportedly damaged at Chinari point, due to which the Line of Control bus service will remain suspended till March 21.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has predicted more rains and thunderstorms in scattered areas of Azad Kashmir, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala division.

A daily weather report issued on Monday said that rains were expected in scattered areas of Kohat, Lahore, Sargodha and the Makran division.

Snowfall is expected in hilly areas of Azad Kashmir, upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Malakand, Hazara, Peshawar, Mardan divisions, Gilgit- Baltistan and Fata.

Dry weather is expected elsewhere in the country.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2016