The Meteorological Department has forecast of fresh spell of snowfall in upper reaches and rain in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir today.

Our Shimla corespondent reports that heavy snowfall and rain is expected to continue over next three days.

According to weather department an active western disturbance is very likely to affect the state from today. The MeT centre also forecast heavy snowfall likely to occur at isolated places of Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Shimla, Kangra and Kinnaur districts from Wednesday onwards.

Following warning of heavy rain and snowfall, all hilly district administration has urged the tourists and locals to take necessary precautions and not to venture high altitude areas.

In Jammu and Kashmir, snowfall or rain is likely to occur till Thursday. The administration has directed the Deputy Commissioners to advise the people living in avalanche prone areas not to venture out to avoid the loss of lives.

The traffic movement remained disrupted for at least during last three days due to fresh landslides and shooting stones in Banihal and other areas on Srinagar Jammu highway.

The highway was cleared off the fresh landslide in Banihal area and almost all stranded heavy motor vehicles and load carriers crossed Jawahar Tunnel to reach Srinagar late last evening.

Traffic officials said subject to fair weather and road condition, the one way traffic shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu today.