JAMMU/ BANIHAL, Jul 22 (Agencies): Traffic movement halted on Jammu-Srinagar highway after rains
Officials said heavy rainfall during the wee hours triggered mudslides and shooting stones at several locations in the uptube in Udhampur district and the downtube in Ramban district, leading to the accumulation of debris and stones on the highway. Traffic, however, continued to move under regulation through the alternate carriageway or lane at the affected stretches.
Traffic officials said no fresh traffic was allowed from Udhampur towards Kashmir or from Qazigund towards Jammu due to the continuing rainfall and the risk of fresh landslides. Men and machinery of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have been pressed into service, and restoration work is underway to clear the affected stretches.
Meanwhile, another convoy of Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims returning from the Baltal route after paying obeisance at the holy cave shrine reached the Chanderkote Yatri Niwas in Ramban district. The pilgrims will be served breakfast before being escorted towards Jammu under security arrangements, officials said.
Authorities have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel on NH-44 until the weather improves and the highway is cleared, as intermittent rainfall continues across the region.