The traffic on the 270-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Mughal and Kishtwar-Simthan roads were suspended on Saturday as heavy rains and spells of hail storm lashed several parts of Jammu, with higher reaches experiencing first moderate snowfall, officials said.

Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Reasi district, experienced the highest 90.7 mm of rainfall, between 8.30 am to 5.30 pm, but the pilgrimage continued without any disruption, they said.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains at Cafeteria Morh near Ramban town, forcing suspension of traffic, Senior Superintendent of Police (national highway) Shabir Malik said.

He said falling of stones from hillock overlooking the highway along with mudslides were also reported from several places between the Ramban-Banihal sector, including Kela Morh and Moumpassi.             "The incessant rains are hampering the restoration work on the highway.

It will take at least five hours to clear the landslide in Cafeteria Morh area after the rain stops," Malik said, adding that the agencies concerned have kept their men and machines ready to carry out the road clearance operation.

As there was no let-up in the rain and the weatherman predicting its continuation for Sunday, the traffic department ordered closure of the highway for Sunday as well.

Officials said the traffic on the Mughal Road, an alternate link connecting the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri in the Jammu region with south Kashmir's Shopian district, was also suspended due to moderate snowfall at Peer Ki Gali and adjoining areas overnight.

Besides Peer Ki Gali along the Mughal Road, reports of first moderate snowfall were also received from higher reaches of Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri and Reasi districts, the officials said, adding that at least a dozen stranded persons were evacuated to safety in Peer Ki Gali area.