Fresh landslides disrupt Jammu-Srinagar highway, closed for third consecutive day

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for the third day in a row on Wednesday due to fresh landslides in Ramban district that stranded more than 800 vehicles on the road.

The 270-kilometre highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country, was blocked by mudslides and pelting rocks between Chanderkote and Banihal in the district on Monday. “A major landslide occurred on the highway in Rampari area of ​​Banihal tehsil on Wednesday morning. Besides, there was another landslide in Wagon,” an official mentioned in a report. Men and machines have been deployed to clear the highway, officials said, adding that it would take several hours to clear the area. Meanwhile, traffic officials have issued an advisory asking people not to drive on the highway.

According to them, more than 800 vehicles are stuck at various places on the highway. Mughal Road, which connects Kashmir's Shopian district and Jammu's Poonch district, was also blocked due to heavy snowfall, they said. Several inter-district roads are closed due to heavy snowfall in the hilly districts of Jammu region, officials added.