Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Closed For Traffic After Landslide, Over 300 Vehicles Stranded

The officials said that over 300 vehicles are stranded at different points of the 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country.

Over 300 vehicles are stranded at different points of the 270-km highway

Source : ANI

New Delhi: The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed for vehicular traffic on Thursday due to a landslide in the Ramban district, leaving over 300 vehicles stranded, officials said, as reported by news agency PTI.

The landslide took place in the Shalgari area of the district, which is being battered by rain.

The officials said that over 300 vehicles are stranded at different points of the 270-km highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country.

News agency ANI took to Twitter to share the visuals of the stranded vehicles due to bad weather in the region.

Jammu-Srinagar national highway is blocked at Ramban in Udhampur as traffic movement is restricted due to bad weather in the region pic.twitter.com/yC6vquQbSG

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2023

According to the officials, work is on to reopen the highway for traffic but incessant rains in the Ramban-Banihal sector was proving to be an impediment.

"Continuous shooting stones, slides block traffic at Shalgadi, near Banihal. Arrangements made in shelter sheds for stranded passengers," according to the Twitter handle of the Ramban deputy commissioner.

NH-44 update - Continuous shooting stones, slides block traffic at Shalgadi, near Banihal. Arrangements made in Shelter Sheds for stranded passengers. Check @Traffic_hqrs before embarking on journeys. @diprjk @OfficeOfLGJandK @DrJitendraSingh @Rameshkumarias @mussarat_zia pic.twitter.com/QDmNV8HmH5

— Deputy Commissioner, Ramban (@dcramban) April 26, 2023

Sharing an update on the situation, Ramban deputy commissioner tweeted, "NH-44 still closed for traffic at Shalgadi, near Banihal due to slide/ shooting stones. Road clearance underway."

NH-44 still closed for traffic at Shalgadi, near Banihal due to slide/ shooting stones. Road clearance underway. Wait for updates from @Traffic_hqrs. @diprjk @OfficeOfLGJandK @DrJitendraSingh @Rameshkumarias @infjammu @PIBSrinagar @ani_digital @DailyExcelsior1 @mussarat_zia

— Deputy Commissioner, Ramban (@dcramban) April 27, 2023

People have been advised not to travel on the highway without confirmation from the traffic control units, the officials said.