The critical Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) experienced a significant disruption on Sunday, remaining closed for over 12 hours due to a substantial landslide that occurred late Saturday evening in the Gangroo area of Ramban district. The vital road link was eventually reopened for vehicular traffic in the late evening hours after extensive clearance operations were undertaken.
The landslide, which initially caused traffic to halt, prompted authorities to deploy men and heavy machinery to clear the accumulated debris. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that while traffic had resumed in the early hours of Sunday, the highway was subsequently shut down to facilitate the ongoing road clearance work. A Traffic Police official confirmed the closure, stating that efforts were underway at Gangroo, Banihal, to remove the landslide debris. Similar clearance operations were also reported to be in progress at Dewal in Udhampur district.
Commuters were strongly advised by the Traffic Police to postpone their travel plans on the highway until it was officially declared safe and reopened. This advisory was issued in light of the persistent threat of fresh landslides and the potential for shooting stones, a common hazard on this mountainous route. Despite the closure, some vehicles that were stranded near the landslide site were permitted to proceed once a section of the road was cleared.
In parallel, the 19th batch of approximately 4,500 Amarnath pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu early Sunday morning. They traveled in a convoy of 166 vehicles, under stringent security arrangements, heading towards the Baltal base camp in Kashmir. The government issued a statement indicating that the Amarnath Yatra would continue exclusively via the Baltal axis. This decision was necessitated by urgent repair and maintenance work required on the Pahalgam route, which had been impacted by recent rainfall.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, stated that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure a smooth and secure pilgrimage through the Baltal route. He appealed to the pilgrims and all stakeholders to cooperate with the authorities and adhere to advisories issued periodically to ensure their safety and the uninterrupted conduct of the Yatra. The focus on the Baltal route underscores the challenges posed by the inclement weather to the region’s infrastructure and critical transportation links.
Looking ahead, the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecast another spell of rain, expected to commence on July 27. The advisory indicates that many places are likely to experience rain and thundershowers from the afternoon to the evening of July 27, with weather conditions expected to improve thereafter. From July 28 to July 31, Jammu and Kashmir is anticipated to witness intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers across most areas. The Jammu division, in particular, faces the possibility of heavy rainfall during late-night hours, with the peak weather activity projected for July 29 and 30. Another period of rain is forecast for many places on August 1 and 2.
The Meteorological Centre has also issued a stern warning regarding the potential for flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in vulnerable locations over the next five days. This forecast highlights the ongoing risks associated with the monsoon season in the region. The general public, tourists, travelers, and transporters have been urged to remain vigilant and follow the issued advisories closely to mitigate potential dangers. The recurring disruptions on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, coupled with adverse weather forecasts, underscore the fragility of the region’s connectivity and the challenges faced by both residents and pilgrims.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.