JAMMU: Traffic on the vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as continuous rainfall and fresh landslides severely hampered restoration work in Ramban district.
The 270-km strategic highway — the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country — was initially blocked by multiple landslides early Monday. Although authorities briefly reopened the stretch on Tuesday morning, two major landslides forced a renewed closure within hours.
According to officials, clearance operations are currently underway at key locations including Shalgarhi and Banihal. However, persistent rainfall continues to delay progress.
A traffic police spokesperson confirmed that vehicular movement has been halted in both directions — from Jammu to Srinagar and vice versa — following a major landslide between Digdol and Khooni Nallah. “The road is completely blocked,” the spokesperson stated.
Officials reported that more than 400 vehicles are currently stranded at multiple points along the highway. Heavy machinery and workforce have been deployed to clear debris, but intermittent rains are disrupting operations.
Authorities have urged commuters to avoid travel on NH-44 until conditions improve. Travelers have also been advised to rely only on official updates from traffic police channels and not fall for unverified information circulating on social media.
