jammu-srinagar-national-highway-remained-closed-for-second-straight-day-amid-recurrent-landslides

Landslides shut down the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for the second consecutive day on February 21. Due to recurrent landslides, efforts to reopen the highway for traffic were unsuccessful.  

 

The landslides were caused by heavy rainfall in areas ranging from Ramban to Banihal, the officials stated on Wednesday.  

 

Traffic officials said that the 'Dalwass segment of the route has been rendered traffic-worthy in a few locations." The rains that battered the area triggered many "mudslides and shooting stones at different locations between Nashri and Banihal'. 

 

Landslides have occurred in various locations, including Dalwass Mehad, Cafeteria Trishul Mode, Morh Ghori Seri, Maroog, T2, and Digdool, with boulders sliding down from the hillside in some cases. 

They added that 'involved authorities, such as NHAI, are working diligently to repair the National Highway as soon as possible in a few locations.'

 

Hundreds of vehicles transporting basic goods such as gasoline and gas, as well as essential supplies like medicines and food, are stalled in Jammu, Udhampur, and other regions between Srinagar and Jammu.  

 

However, several private light motor vehicles (LMVs) on their way to Jammu that were detained at Chanderkote on Tuesday were permitted safe passage by police after a single-lane road was created at Dalwass on Monday night.  

 

According to officers, heavy rains are impeding road rehabilitation work in several locations between Nashri and Banihal. If the weather improves, we will be able to resume traffic on the roadway, they said.  

 

Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police, National Highway, Rohit Baskotra, said late Tuesday evening that the roadway is still shut in various locations owing to landslides and the rolling of stones from hills.  

 

He recommended commuters not go on the National Highway until the weather improved and the roads were cleared. There are chances of landslides recurring in many places.  

 

The traffic department has declared traveling in these conditions unsafe and advised truckers and other drivers to wait till the department gives the green signal.  

 

Every year, many people lose their lives in accidents on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which is prone to landslides.