Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 04
A landslide briefly blocked the Srinagar-bound carriageway of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway near Moud on Sunday, disrupting traffic on one of Jammu and Kashmir’s main road links.
Traffic authorities diverted vehicles through the opposite road tube to keep traffic moving, while the National Highways Authority of India deployed workers and machinery to clear the debris.
The highway remained open to regulated two-way traffic, although slow movement was reported at several stretches between Udhampur and Banihal because of road construction, narrow carriageways and rain-related damage.
At Dewal in Udhampur district, vehicles were being moved through a 30-40 metre rain-damaged section under single-lane regulation.
Officials said rain-induced erosion had also damaged parts of the Srinagar-bound carriageway at two or three locations in the Dewal area. Traffic was being regulated at the vulnerable points.
Further along the highway, traffic was slow on the Maroog-Kishtwari Pather stretch in Ramban district because of four-laning work, uneven road surfaces and restricted carriageway width.
The Banihal-Nachlana section also saw intermittent delays caused by the movement of nomadic families travelling towards Jammu with livestock.
Police and traffic personnel were deployed at vulnerable points to regulate vehicles and facilitate the movement of livestock.
Vehicle breakdowns, including one reported near Nachlana, also caused temporary disruption, officials said.
Kashmir-bound oil and gas tankers continued to face daytime restrictions beyond Chenani because of construction and widening work on the Digdole-Khooni Nallah section.
Officials said the tankers were being allowed to move between 5 pm and 5 am.
Traffic authorities advised motorists to check highway advisories before travelling, maintain lane discipline and drive cautiously through single-lane, uneven and rain-affected sections.
They warned that further rainfall could trigger landslides, shooting stones and additional road damage.
The highway was expected to remain open to regulated two-way traffic on Monday, subject to weather and road conditions.
