Srinagar, Sep 16 (IANS): The road network south of the Pir Panjal range has been restored in flood-hit Jammu and Kashmir on all important routes, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway which opened Tuesday.

The roads have been cleared following extensive efforts of the army engineers and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

"Major impediment to opening the national highway was a massive landslide at Ramsoo near Ramban, where over 300 metres of road had been entirely washed away leaving a cliff of 80 degrees slope," an official statement from the army said Tuesday.

"The entire hillside had to be excavated afresh and the effort had to be further intensified due to a repeat landslide on Sep 12," it said.

Clearance of remaining debris and slush on several roads in the state continues in an effort to improve trafficability on all road links in the state.

Blockade of roads became a major impediment during the relief and rescue operations in the state that hindered supply of forces and relief material.

The statement added that 288 army columns are deployed in Jammu and Kashmir for relief and rescue operations.

The Army Aviation Corps is assisting in lifting 20 to 30 tonnes of load on a daily basis and 2,677 seriously ill have been airlifted from the affected areas till date.

Build-up of rations, water and medical aid continues. Two enhanced advance dressing stations are being inducted from Bhatinda to Srinagar.

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