2,000 vehicles still stranded on Jammu-srinagar highway
JAMMU/SRINAGAR: While the intensity of rains has reduced in the region, the Jammu-srinagar national highway remained shut for the fourth day on Friday.
According to traffic officials, heavy rainfall triggered landslides and shooting stones at nearly 10 spots on the national highway, which has been blocked since Tuesday when a large portion of a road got washed away in Ramban district.
National highway SSP JS Johar said, “The highway is still closed due to landslides at multiple places like Mompassi, Panthial, Dalwas, Marog, Digdol and Monkey Morh in Ramban district. Weather is still inclement.”
“Due to rains, the highway restoration work has not been completed. Till the landslides are removed, traffic movement will remain suspended,” he added. Over 2,000 vehicles are stranded at various places in Qazigund, Chenani, Udhampur and Nagrota, said an official.
A local from Ramban said the landslide at Cafeteria Morh was a massive, and that incessant rains have rendered machines defunct as they could not clear the debris due to mud and slush on the affected stretches.
“Around 300 vehicles are stranded in Ramban district,” he added.
MUGHAL ROAD OPENED FOR TRAFFIC
The Mughal Road, which is an alternate link between Jammu and Kashmir, was opened for traffic on Friday. “Vehicles were released towards Poonch as traffic was restored on Mughal Road,” said IG traffic.
However, Poonch deputy magistrate Rahul Yadav informed that the road has not been opened for all kinds of traffic. “traffic on Mughal Road is allowed only for downward movement of fruit trucks, empty oil tankers from Kashmir to Jammu,” he said.
4 RESCUED FROM RIVER IN POONCH
Poonch SSP Ramesh Kumar Angral said, “Police and Army successfully accomplished a rescue operation this morning and saved four lives. These four people were trapped in the flooded Suran river in Salotri area of Poonch.”paddar-kishtwar highway has also been blocked by a landslide near Padiyarna.
HEAVY RAINS WREAKS HAVOC IN HIMACHAL
Around 40 people were rendered homeless after rain-triggered landslides destroyed three houses and partially damaged one house in Kullu’s Malana village. However, no loss of life was reported. The incident occurred during the early hours of Friday around 4am. The residents escaped from their dwellings in time. Kullu sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Amit Guleria said accommodation arrangements and ration had been provided to the people and relief work was underway. The amount of loss suffered is being ascertained.