Traffic on Jammu-Srinagar national highway restored, 9 rescued from swollen Tawi river

Jammu: Traffic on Jammu-Srinagar national highway was restored after a three-hour closure on Tuesday due to rain-triggered mudslides near Ramban. Meanwhile, nine people trapped in the swollen Tawi river were rescued in a joint operation by police, SDRF and local volunteers.

Among them was a labourer stranded for two hours during sand extraction, and others performing religious rituals.Officials said the NH was blocked at Mehad and the T2 tunnel around 6.30am, but quick action by police and road clearance teams reopened the route, with stranded vehicles now being cleared.The deputy commissioners of Reasi and Poonch districts reviewed the emergency preparedness and response mechanisms as heavy rains continued to lash parts of J&K. In flood-affected Qazi Mohra, DC Vikas Kundal assessed damage and ordered immediate relief measures. In Poonch, DC Nidhi Malik chaired a preparedness meeting to review flood and landslide response plans.Authorities urged commuters to remain patient and follow traffic discipline to avoid further congestion.