Video: Landslide affects important Jammu-Srinagar highway, traffic blocked

Srinagar:

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, a vital road that connects the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, is blocked following landslides and avalanches at several places following heavy rains and snowfall in the region. A video of a massive landslide on the highway has surfaced.

The weather department has predicted moderate rain and snowfall over most parts of the Union Territory this week, with peak activity on March 1 and 2. The 270 km long vital Srinagar-Jammu highway was closed after landslides at several places, especially between Banihal and Ramban sectors.

Video from an unknown location shows huge amounts of soil and stones rolling down the hill and falling on the highway. Within seconds, the debris blocked a large part of the highway. The work of clearing the road is going on, till then the movement on the highway will remain affected.

In another video, at least three JCB crawler machines are seen deployed to remove the debris and a small stream of dirty water has formed. Another video showed trucks stranded on the highway and brown, dirty water flowing rapidly down the hill.

Fresh snowfall was recorded in higher reaches of Jammu region while plains including the winter capital city received rain yesterday.

“Heavy to very heavy snowfall may occur at some places during this period especially in higher reaches of North, Central and South Kashmir and Pirpanjal Range of Jammu division,” the weather office said.

“Moderate rain or snowfall may occur over the plains of Kashmir, while moderate rain may occur over the plains of Jammu and heavy rain is likely over Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi districts. Thunderstorm, lightning or accompanied by gusty winds at some places. There may be hailstorm.” Said.

A traffic department official said one-way traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, was moving smoothly despite the rain.

Gulmarg and tourist resort towns of Sonamarg and Dudhpathri received moderate to heavy snowfall. Gurez, Kupwara, Baltal and other high altitude towns also received fresh snowfall. At present, most places in Kashmir are experiencing moderate rain or snowfall.