Mudslides block Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as rains lashes wide parts of Jammu

Jammu: Mudslides blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district on Wednesday, prompting suspension of vehicular traffic and leaving hundreds of people, including Amarnath pilgrims, stranded, officials said.

Torrential rains continued across Jammu region for the third day on Wednesday.

However, there is no immediate threat of floods anywhere even as most of the water bodies, including rivers and streams, are in spate due to the rising water levels, the officials said.

They said the district authorities are closely monitoring the weather situation and have taken necessary measures to tackle any situation amid a flash flood alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) till July 24.

A mudslide due to flash floods hit a viaduct tunnel near Magerkote in Ramban district, blocking the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, an official of the traffic department said.

He said another mudslide occurred on the highway near Seri amid heavy rains.

The agencies concerned have mobilised their men and machines to clear the debris at both the places simultaneously to make the road traffic worthy, the spokesman said, advising people not to travel on the highway till the weather improves and the road is cleared.

Officials said hundreds of people, including two convoys carrying Amarnath pilgrims returning from Kashmir, were stranded at different places.

The highway is expected to be reopened for vehicular traffic within next couple of hours, provided there is improvement in the weather, the officials said.

The officials said the Kishtwar-Sinthan road was also blocked due to flash floods at Sinthan Nallah in Kishtwar district.

Reports of landslides forcing closure of various link roads in the mountainous Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda and Ramban districts were also received, the officials said, adding efforts are on to clear all these roads.

The officials said rains also caused damage to a number of 'kutcha' houses and cowsheds but the exact number would be known only after a detailed assessment.

Authorities on Tuesday set up 24x7 control rooms at almost all district headquarters across Jammu division.

The step was taken after IMD issued a guidance bulletin, warning of a low to moderate risk of flash floods in Jammu division over the next 24 hours, the officials said.

In response, the officials said the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been urged to take necessary precautions and measures as per established protocols to ensure public safety and mitigate risks.

According to officials of meteorological department, Udhampur district recorded the highest 51.8 mm of overnight rainfall followed by 20.5 mm in Ramban, 17.9 mm in Reasi and 8.5 mm in Jammu.