Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 23

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway partially reopened to regulated traffic on Thursday after fresh landslides and shooting stones disrupted the key road link for much of the day, while another major highway remained closed because of heavy rain.

The Batote-Doda-Kishtwar National Highway remained shut, further affecting connectivity in the Chenab Valley.

Overnight and intermittent rain triggered landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at several vulnerable points between Udhampur and Banihal, forcing authorities to halt traffic and deploy restoration crews.

Teams from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), using heavy machinery, worked to clear debris, but continued rain repeatedly hampered operations.

After weather conditions improved in the late afternoon, authorities allowed regulated movement of stranded light motor vehicles and heavy vehicles, including trucks carrying essential supplies, from Jakhani in Udhampur towards Kashmir.

Officials said vehicles were moving slowly because of damaged stretches, mud and the continuing risk of falling rocks.

Traffic police and civil authorities monitored the convoy while restoration work continued at multiple locations.

The Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri road and Mughal Road remained open, according to traffic authorities.

Officials urged commuters to avoid affected routes unless movement was officially permitted and to check traffic advisories before travelling.

The latest disruption followed several days of intense rainfall that has triggered landslides, flash floods and shooting stones across Ramban, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar.

The adverse weather has also disrupted several religious pilgrimages and damaged roads and public infrastructure. Earlier this week, a landslide on the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highway killed two people and injured six, while shooting stones struck a passenger vehicle in Ramban, killing a couple and injuring four others.

Officials warned that the risk of further landslides and rockfall remained high as more rain was forecast.