J-K highway closed for fourth day due to landslides; Mughal Road reopens

Jammu, Sep 5: The Jammu–Srinagar national highway remained shut for the fourth consecutive day on Friday following multiple landslides and road washouts triggered by heavy rains.

According to traffic police, continuous blockades since August 26 have disrupted vehicular movement. The highway was briefly opened on August 30 for a few hours but has otherwise remained closed for most of the past ten days. Over 3,700 vehicles are stranded at various points between Kathua and Kashmir.

Officials said the worst-affected stretches are at Shalgadi, Nachilana, Panthyal, Maroog and Peerah in Ramban-Banihal sector, where retaining walls and road portions were swept away. A major landslide has also entered one tube of the Peerah tunnel. In Udhampur sector, nearly 10 km of the road between Jakhani, Thara D, Bali Nallah and Dewal has suffered extensive damage.

Meanwhile, the Mughal Road, which had been closed for four days, has reopened. Light motor vehicles, including private cars and passenger vehicles, are now allowed from both sides, while only six-tyre heavy trucks are permitted from Poonch towards Shopian.

Other key routes, including the Jammu–Rajouri–Poonch highway, have also been restored. However, the Sinthan Road continues to remain blocked.

The traffic advisory stated: “The highway is still closed for movement from Jakheni (Udhampur) to Srinagar and vice versa. No vehicles will be allowed from Nagrota (Jammu) towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Srinagar and vice versa until further notice.”