Hundreds of vehicles stranded after landslide blocks Srinagar-Jammu highway

Ramban, Apr 6: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for traffic on Monday following inclement weather, landslides, and intermittent rainfall in the Ramban sector.

Hundreds of vehicles were left stranded in Udhampur and other safer locations along the highway.

According to officials, the highway was initially blocked late Sunday night after a fresh landslide struck near the Jaswal Bridge area between Karool and Chanderkote.

Earlier in the evening, falling rocks and debris from a hillock obstructed the Srinagar-bound tube, prompting authorities to divert traffic through the Jammu-bound tube.

However, a subsequent landslide during the night blocked both tubes, forcing a complete halt of vehicular movement in both directions.

Restoration work was launched early Monday morning by the National Highways Authority of India.

By afternoon, a single lane on the Jammu-bound side was partially cleared, allowing limited movement of stranded vehicles between Chanderkot and Karool.

However, the situation deteriorated again as fresh landslides and continuous shooting stones disrupted the clearance operations.

In one incident, a Personal Security Officer of the Additional Superintendent of Police Ramban sustained injuries after being hit by falling stones.

He was immediately shifted to District Hospital Ramban for treatment.

In a separate incident, a Police vehicle was damaged due to shooting stones, though no injuries were reported.

Officials said intermittent rainfall in the late afternoon further aggravated the situation, triggering more landslides and hampering restoration efforts.

Debris clearance work is ongoing, but progress remains slow due to unsafe conditions.

As per the traffic update issued at 3:30 pm, the highway remains closed between Karool Bridge and Chanderkot.

Several vehicles are stranded along the stretch between Udhampur and Banihal.

Authorities made it clear that there is no possibility of traffic being allowed from either Jammu or Srinagar side on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Muhammad Alyas Khan, along with senior Police and Traffic officials, is closely monitoring the restoration work.

Officials confirmed that while debris from one tube had been cleared, efforts were underway to restore the other.

However, repeated landslides and falling stones continue to pose a serious challenge.

Authorities have advised commuters and transporters to avoid travel on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway until the road is fully restored and weather conditions improve.

Travellers have also been urged to rely only on official updates from Traffic Police and not pay heed to rumours.

Late Monday evening, SSP Traffic Raja Adil Hameed said that restoration work was underway, along with clearance of stranded vehicles near Karool amid light rainfall.

Earlier, announcements were made in Udhampur by the Traffic Department regarding the road closure at Chanderkote, advising commuters to avoid travel on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway until restoration work is completed and weather conditions improve in Ramban.