The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was shut for traffic on Thursday after multiple landslides washed away large stretches of road. Besides, all other flood-prone roads and highways were shut as a precautionary measure, leaving about 3,500 vehicles stranded between Jammu and Srinagar from August 26 to September 4.
The highway was partially opened to allow stranded vehicles to cross into the Kashmir Valley but was later shut again due to predictions of heavy rainfall and more landslides.
The Traffic Department on Thursday said, “The Jammu-Srinagar highway, Mughal Road and Sinthan Road are closed for vehicular movement due to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at several places.”
An advisory issued by the department read: “The Jammu-Srinagar highway is closed for vehicular movement from Jakhani in Udhampur towards Srinagar and vice versa due to the road being damaged at multiple places. No vehicular movement shall be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Srinagar and vice versa.”
Officials said work to restore highways across Jammu and Kashmir was underway, especially in the Udhampur-Ramban-Banihal section, on a war footing.
Over 3,500 vehicles remain stranded at various locations in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban and parts of the Kashmir Valley due to the closure of the highway.
At present, Kashmir’s connectivity with the rest of the country relies solely on air travel, as all surface traffic on important routes remains suspended. The region depends on road transport, particularly the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which serves as the main lifeline for essential supplies, passenger movement, and trade.
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