NH linking Kashmir with rest of India shut for 'at least six days'
The crucial National Highway linking Kashmir to the rest of India remains closed for a second day due to debris in the Ramban area, causing widespread disruption and triggering panic buying. Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts led to flash floods and landslides, resulting in casualties and damage to villages.
The meteorological department has predicted continued moderate rain and hailstorms in some areas across Jammu and Kashmir.
#Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India pulled the plug on IWT when Pakistanis are fighting over water What makes this India-Pakistan standoff more dangerous than past ones The problem of Pakistan couldn't have come at a worse time for D-St Hundreds of vehicles remained stranded on the highway that triggered rumors of shortage of essential items and fuel crisis in the Valley as locals rushed to petrol pumps and departmental stores.
The National Highway Authority of India has informed that it will take at least six days to restore the highway.
Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts triggered flash floods, landslides and mudslides in Ramban district on Sunday in which three people were killed and several houses and business establishments were damaged.
The authorities in Jammu informed that about 10 to 12 villages, including Seri, Bagna, Panote and Khari in Ramban have suffered varying degrees of damage and teams are on the ground to make a complete assessment so that the affected population are provided relief.
The road has suffered extensive damage, with certain stretches sunk and washed away while some others buried under sludge and boulders.
Highway closure forced the authorities to divert the traffic towards Rajouri-Poonch from where the historic Mughal road connects to Shopian of Kashmir Valley.
The road was opened for one-way traffic recently following the closure in winter months.
This resulted in massive clogging of roads in the twin Pir Panjal districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
The Sinthan Top road which connects Kishtwar in Chenab Valley of Jammu with Anantnag in Kashmir is also closed due to fresh spell of snowfall.
The road connecting Kashmir Valley with Ladakh was also closed due to landslides at Zojila Pass.
