Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 26

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was partially reopened on Sunday afternoon to allow stranded vehicles to move after restoration work was completed at key damaged stretches, including Dewal-Samroli in Udhampur district and the landslide-hit Gangroo area of Ramban district, officials said.

The reopening was carried out on a priority basis for stranded light motor vehicles and heavy vehicles approaching from the Udhampur and Banihal sides, after the scheduled Amarnath Yatra convoy crossed the Udhampur-Banihal sector safely earlier in the day.

Officials stressed, however, that the highway had not been reopened for fresh vehicular traffic and that movement remained subject to regulated arrangements as restoration and debris-clearance operations continued.

The decision to permit stranded vehicles followed the safe passage of the Amarnath Yatra convoy, after which the National Highways Authority of India resumed intensive restoration work at several vulnerable locations along the strategic road corridor.

At Gangroo in the Ramsu sector of Ramban district, a major landslide on Saturday evening had blocked both road tubes, disrupting traffic along the highway.

NHAI deployed heavy earth-moving equipment and additional manpower to the site following the landslide, while separate teams worked to clear debris, slush and boulders from other affected sections.

Restoration efforts were also undertaken at the Dewal-Samroli stretch, where waterlogging and accumulated debris had affected movement.

Officials warned that the road remained vulnerable to further disruption because of unstable slopes and the possibility of fresh landslides and shooting stones.

“Commuters are advised to avoid travelling on the highway until it is declared fully safe and reopened for regular traffic, as there is an apprehension of fresh landslides and shooting stones due to unstable slopes,” officials said.

The Traffic Police separately urged commuters not to rely on rumours or unofficial reports regarding the status of the highway and advised them to check traffic updates issued through its official social media platforms and Traffic Control Units.

The latest disruption followed a renewed spell of rain on Saturday, which triggered a major landslide at Gangroo and brought traffic to a complete halt, barely a day after the highway had been restored following a three-day closure caused by persistent monsoon rainfall.

The Amarnath Yatra convoy had nevertheless crossed the highway safely on Saturday under security arrangements, after which authorities had permitted regulated movement of scheduled light motor vehicles and heavy vehicles.

Further rainfall during the afternoon, however, led to shooting stones at several vulnerable points between Ramban and Banihal and caused waterlogging at Dewal-Samroli.

The situation deteriorated later in the evening when the landslide at Gangroo blocked the highway completely.

The strategic road has faced repeated disruptions in recent days as continuous monsoon activity triggered landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and waterlogging across Ramban, Udhampur and adjoining districts.

The repeated weather-related damage has complicated restoration efforts and disrupted one of Jammu and Kashmir’s most important road links, which connects the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), National Highway, Raja Adil Hameed, supervised traffic regulation and restoration operations at Dewal, Samroli and other vulnerable points, officials said.

Traffic Police, NHAI and other agencies coordinated efforts to facilitate the controlled movement of stranded vehicles while continuing restoration work.

Officials said restoration machinery and response teams had been positioned at vulnerable locations along the Udhampur-Banihal corridor to enable a rapid response to any fresh weather-related disruption.

With the India Meteorological Department forecasting further rainfall in the coming days, authorities have warned that additional landslides and shooting stones cannot be ruled out.

Commuters have been advised to travel on the highway only after confirming its latest status through official traffic advisories, as authorities continue to balance the need to clear stranded vehicles with safety concerns on unstable and rain-affected stretches.