Continuous heavy rain has once again disrupted the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), considered the lifeline of Jammu and Kashmir.
On Wednesday, officials said that vehicular movement on both sides of the highway had been completely halted.
Due to the rains, several vulnerable locations along the highway, especially in the Ramban and Udhampur sectors, are experiencing frequent incidents of shooting stones and mudslides. Apart from this, the slippery roads have made the highway extremely dangerous for vehicles.
Advisory For Travelers
The traffic police have appealed to people not to take the risk of travelling on NH-44 until the weather clears and the road is officially declared safe. An official said, “Passengers are requested not to undertake any kind of journey on NH-44.”
People are also advised to check the traffic police’s official social media handles, such as X, Facebook, and the Traffic Control Unit (TCU), for the latest road conditions before leaving home.
According to reports, many parts of Jammu and Kashmir have been experiencing intermittent heavy rainfall for the past 24 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall for the next few hours. Therefore, the highway’s reopening time will depend on the weather clearing and the road debris being cleared. Teams from the Border Road Transport Corporation (BRO) and traffic police are monitoring the situation.
Helpline Numbers
If you need any travel-related information or assistance, you can contact the helpline numbers given below:
TCU Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103
TCU Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103
TCU Ramban: 9419993745, 1800-180-7043
TCU Udhampur: 8491928625
The administration is constantly working to ensure the safety of travelers. Stay safe and check the status before embarking on your journey.