Ramban, Aug 30: The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, already closed for traffic due to multiple landslides and sinking patches, witnessed a fresh disruption on Saturday after a massive landslide hit near Karalna village, opposite the treacherous Khooni Nallah stretch in Ramban district.
Officials said the new slide has compounded the crisis, leaving the road completely blocked despite continuous restoration efforts. Hundreds of trucks, buses and passenger vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway as men and machinery battle to clear accumulated debris.
The highway, the only all-weather surface link between Kashmir and the rest of the country, has remained shut for the last several days owing to frequent landslides triggered by rains. The latest incident has further slowed down the restoration work, which officials admit may take more time than initially expected.
Traffic department sources said the situation has become extremely challenging for the road clearance teams, who are facing fresh shooting stones along with heavy debris. Authorities have appealed to commuters not to undertake travel on the highway until further notice.
The prolonged closure has badly hit the supply of essentials, fuel and perishables to the Valley, with stranded passengers expressing frustration over being caught in repeated highway shutdowns. [KNT]
