Ramban, March 31: Vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, NH-44, was suspended on Tuesday after a landslide struck the Mehar area of Ramban district following heavy rainfall, officials said.
The landslide led to accumulation of debris on the road, forcing authorities to halt traffic from both sides as a precautionary measure.
The disruption is significant as NH-44 serves as the only all-weather road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, and any blockage impacts movement of passengers and essential supplies.
Officials said continuous rainfall across the highway stretch has triggered landslides and shooting stones at multiple vulnerable locations, worsening road conditions.
Restoration work has been initiated, with road clearance agencies deploying machinery to remove debris and make the highway traffic-worthy, officials said.
“Traffic has been halted from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to landslides and shooting stones at several locations, along with continuous rainfall across the entire stretch,” Jammu and Kashmir Police said in an advisory.
Authorities urged commuters to avoid travel on the highway until weather conditions improve and clearance operations are completed.
“People are advised to avoid travel on NH-44 until the weather improves and the road is cleared,” the advisory said.
Traffic officials said stranded vehicles are being managed at designated points, while continuous monitoring of vulnerable stretches is underway.
The Ramban sector of NH-44 is considered one of the most landslide-prone stretches due to its fragile terrain and steep slopes.
Authorities said clearance operations will continue on a priority basis, and traffic will be restored once the road is deemed safe for movement. [KNT]
