Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was suspended on Saturday morning for restoration work, while several Jammu districts announced the closure of schools amid inclement weather.
Efforts to restore the critical highway were ongoing on the Ladha-Samroli stretch in Udhampur district following a heavy spell of rain that triggered mudslides at several places.
Officials said road conditions had become slippery due to mud accumulation, making vehicular movement unsafe. Authorities also suspended the movement of the Amarnath Yatra convoy on Saturday morning due to safety concerns.
Fresh rainfall in Udhampur and Ramban districts further worsened road conditions, making travel unsafe. In view of the adverse weather, authorities decided to close all government and private educational institutions and shift classes online.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Chief Education Officer of Doda district said, “All government and private schools in District Doda will remain closed today (01-08-2026) due to adverse weather, as per the directions of the district administration. Online classes will continue as per schedule.”
The Kishtwar district administration has also ordered the closure of all educational institutions amid the prevailing inclement weather conditions.
The administration issued a similar order, stating: “In view of the prevailing adverse weather conditions across District Kishtwar, along with slippery road conditions and the possibility of shooting stones posing a risk to the safety and well-being of students and staff, and in compliance with the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, Kishtwar, it is hereby ordered that all government and private schools in District Kishtwar shall remain closed today, i.e., 01-08-2026.”
Educational institutions have been directed to switch to online classes to ensure that the academic calendar is not disrupted.
Incessant rainfall has battered Jammu and Kashmir over the past two weeks, causing widespread infrastructural damage as well as losses to livestock and property.
Besides, 30 people have lost their lives in weather-related incidents, while seven others remain unaccounted for as of the filing of this report.
By Waseem Ahmad Ganie
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