Ramban, Jul 6: The Batote-Kishtwar National Highway (NH-244), which remained blocked for several hours after flash floods and landslides triggered by torrential rain, was reopened for one-way traffic on Monday evening following an extensive road restoration operation.
Officials said heavy rainfall early Monday triggered a flash flood near Prem Nagar, between Doda and Kishtwar, burying a stretch of the highway under mud, boulders and debris.
Several vehicles, including cars, trucks and two-wheelers, were trapped in the slush, forcing the suspension of traffic on the vital road link connecting Kishtwar with Batote, Jammu and other parts of the region.
Despite extensive damage, no casualties or injuries were reported.
Soon after the incident, the district administration, Traffic Police, National Highways Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), highway authorities and local residents launched a joint rescue and road clearance operation. Heavy machinery was pressed into service to remove debris, restore connectivity and evacuate stranded commuters.
After several hours of restoration work, the highway was reopened for one-way traffic, providing relief to commuters and facilitating the movement of essential supplies. Officials, however, said clearance operations are continuing as some damaged vehicles are yet to be retrieved from the debris.
Authorities advised motorists to drive cautiously and follow traffic advisories, warning that intermittent disruptions could continue until complete restoration of the affected stretch.
The reopening assumes significance as traffic on NH-244 has increased considerably due to the ongoing Machail Yatra in the Paddar area of Kishtwar district.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall also triggered a major landslide near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project in Kishtwar district, causing extensive damage to the project area.
The landslide struck the project’s approach road, burying several trucks, tankers and other heavy machinery under mud and rocks. The project, being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) on the Chenab River, is located around 28 km from Kishtwar town.
Project authorities, assisted by the district administration, launched restoration operations to clear debris, recover trapped vehicles and restore access to the project site.
Officials said no casualties were reported in the incident and an assessment of the damage is underway.
They advised residents in vulnerable areas and commuters to remain alert as intermittent rainfall is expected to continue across parts of the Chenab Valley.
