Fresh Landslides Disrupt Jammu-Srinagar Highway; Restoration Work in Full Swing

Jammu, Jul 21: Fresh landslides and mudslides triggered by incessant rainfall disrupted traffic movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday, with restoration work underway at several vulnerable locations amid continuing monsoon fury across the region. Officials said heavy rain in Udhampur and Ramban districts triggered mudslides and shooting stones at multiple points along the highway, particularly near Sharda Mata Mandir and Thara, posing a serious risk to commuters and hampering traffic movement. Road clearance operations are being carried out by teams of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), traffic police and other concerned agencies to remove debris and restore vehicular movement. Authorities have advised commuters to check the latest traffic advisories before undertaking any journey on the highway. Meanwhile, a fresh landslide was also reported from the Nograta Saldhar area of Rajouri district, where continuous rainfall caused mud and rocks to slide onto the road, affecting local connectivity. No casualties were reported. The incidents come amid a very heavy rainfall alert issued by the Meteorological Department for several districts of the Jammu region, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas. The alert covers Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, where adverse weather conditions are expected to continue over the coming hours. Authorities have urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel, especially through landslide-prone and hilly areas, and to stay away from rivers, streams and other flood-prone locations. Residents have also been advised to strictly follow advisories issued by district administrations and disaster management authorities. The ongoing spell of heavy rain has caused widespread damage across Jammu and Kashmir, with flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts affecting homes, agricultural land, roads, bridges and other public infrastructure. Emergency response agencies remain on high alert as restoration efforts continue across the affected areas.