Jammu-Srinagar highway opens briefly, shuts again due to land subsidence

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which had been closed for four days due to extensive damage from heavy rainfall, was briefly reopened on Saturday but was forced to close again after a section of the road started sinking in Jammu’s Udhampur district. Traffic Police reported that the stretch from Tharad Bridge to the petrol pump near Balli Nallah began to give way, prompting authorities to halt movement in both directions.

In a statement, the J&K Traffic Police informed that while traffic was initially restored to allow stranded vehicles to clear, the sinking land prompted a renewed shutdown. “Traffic movement has been stopped from both sides until further advisory. People are advised not to undertake any journey on the Jammu-Srinagar NH until the restoration work is completed. Please refrain from paying heed to rumors,” the statement on X read.

The closure of the highway, a vital link between Jammu and Srinagar, has left hundreds of vehicles stranded. The highway has been severely impacted by the recent heavy rains, with significant road damage reported across several sections.

In response to the ongoing disruptions, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting on Saturday to review the restoration efforts on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and other key roads damaged by the recent rainfall. The meeting focused on ensuring the swift restoration of road connectivity, as well as the uninterrupted supply of essential goods to the Kashmir Valley and remote areas of the Jammu division.

A spokesperson said the Chief Minister directed authorities to prioritise the restoration of road connectivity to facilitate the smooth movement of essential goods, including perishable items like fruit from the Valley.

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo briefed the meeting on the current situation, noting that the restoration of NH-44 was the “top priority” due to its critical role as the lifeline connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country. Dulloo highlighted the challenges faced by areas such as Kishtwar and Udhampur, where power outages, water shortages, and disrupted mobile networks are compounding the crisis.