Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 28

Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained restricted on Tuesday as rain, slush and an uneven road surface hampered movement through a landslide-affected section near Dewal between Chenani and Udhampur, officials said.

The highway was open only in a controlled manner for stranded vehicles, with authorities regulating traffic through the affected stretch.

Hundreds of Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles were allowed to pass while restoration work continued.

A major landslide near Dewal Bridge on Monday morning had blocked the carriageway for several hours and stranded vehicles on both sides of the highway.

Traffic was partially restored later that day, but road clearance and stabilisation work remained underway.

Another landslide, triggered by heavy rain, struck near Ladha at Samroli in the Udhampur-Chenani section at around 11 p.m. on July 26, completely blocking the operational two-lane road, officials said.

The National Highways Authority of India mobilised workers and machinery and cleared the debris by around 3 am, allowing single-lane traffic to resume.

The Amarnath Yatra convoy was escorted safely through the affected stretch on July 27 as restoration work continued.

Two-lane traffic was restored within six hours, officials said.

However, heavy traffic and an uneven road surface at Dewal continued to cause difficulties for motorists.

Intermittent rain has kept the road surface wet and vulnerable, requiring continuing maintenance, officials said.

NHAI workers have been filling damaged sections with stones and boulders to improve passage.

With more rain forecast in the coming days, authorities urged travellers to check the latest highway status with Traffic Control Units in Jammu, Ramban, and Srinagar before starting their journey.

Motorists were also advised to rely only on official updates from traffic authorities and to avoid the highway until authorities declare it safe for unrestricted movement.