J-K highway shut for fourth day due to multiple landslides; Mughal Road reopens

“The Jammu-Srinagar highway and Sinthan Road are closed for vehicular movement due to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at several places,” a traffic police officer said.

The highway had remained closed due to multiple blockades since August 26 following torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides, but was reopened for traffic for a few hours on August 30. In total, the highway has been closed for ten days.

The closure of highways and other inter-regional roads to Kashmir has resulted in over 3,700 vehicles getting stuck at various places from Kathua to Kashmir.

Mughal Road, which was closed for four days, was reopened for traffic, and LMVs including passenger and private cars have been allowed from both sides on the Mughal Road from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa via Poonch, they said.

However, HMVs carrying essential commodities, limited to six-tyre trucks only, are being allowed from Poonch towards Shopian, they said.

Besides this, important highways, including the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway, which was closed for three days, have also been reopened for traffic after clearance of landslides, they said.

“The highway is still closed for vehicular movement from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar and vice versa due to road blockages between Jakheni and Bali Nallah. No vehicular movement shall be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Srinagar and vice versa,” a traffic police advisory said.

The most affected areas include Shalgadi, Nachilana, Panthyal, Maroog and Peerah in Ramban–Banihal, where retaining walls and stretches of road have been washed away, and a heavy landslide has even entered one tube of the Peerah tunnel.

In the Udhampur sector, around 10 km of road between Jakhani, Thara D, Bali Nallah and Dewal has been affected, they said.

CM Omar Abdullah calls for swift restoration of essential services

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed reinforcing of vulnerable spots, evacuation of people from inundated villages, and round-the-clock monitoring in view of the flood situation in the valley.

Chairing a meeting here on the post-flood scenario, the chief minister also directed for swift restoration of essential services, including power, water supply and road connectivity in the flood-hit areas.

“Chief Minister chaired a meeting today morning on the post-flood scenario and directed reinforcement of vulnerable spots, evacuation of people from inundated villages, round-the-clock monitoring through control rooms, and frequent visits to affected areas & timely advisories urging residents to stay alert, avoid panic & cooperate with administration,” the CM’s office said on X.

Many areas of Jammu and Kashmir are witnessing floods following incessant rains