Srinagar, Aug 27(HS): Incessant rainfall accompanied by landslides and rockfalls forced authorities on Wednesday to shut down the strategic Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road linking the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.
Traffic authorities confirmed that continuous downpour over the past 24 hours had triggered multiple landslides along the arterial highway, rendering vehicular movement unsafe. The route will remain closed until a fresh assessment of weather and road conditions is completed.
Officials further stated that the Jammu–Pathankot highway will also be reviewed on August 28 to decide its status, while the Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag road (NH-244) has already been sealed off due to heavy landslides. Similarly, the Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumari (SSG) road stands blocked near Bajri Nallah, and the vital Mughal Road — an important alternative connection — too has been rendered impassable by debris and falling rocks.
The Traffic Police Headquarters has urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and verify road conditions in advance through helpline numbers made available in Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, Udhampur, Kishtwar, and Kargil.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, has issued a fresh advisory warning of further weather-related disruptions. It reported that several stations across Jammu division witnessed extremely heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours, while south Kashmir also received heavy precipitation, heightening risks of waterlogging and flash floods in vulnerable areas.
As per the forecast, August 27 will remain mostly cloudy with spells of light to moderate rain across many places, particularly in Jammu division and central and south Kashmir. Brief dry intervals may occur between showers.
A gradual improvement is expected on August 28–29, with only scattered showers predicted. However, the MeT department has cautioned of an “active weather phase” between August 30 and September 1, bringing moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers in Jammu division, followed by another wet spell from September 2–5.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
