Srinagar, October 7, 2025 – Continuous heavy rains have triggered multiple blockages on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), stranding vehicles and disrupting connectivity between Udhampur, Ramban, and Banihal. The highway, a critical lifeline for the Kashmir Valley, is closed for all vehicular traffic due to landslides, slush, and shooting stones at several points, with restoration efforts by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) ongoing despite challenging weather conditions. Authorities have halted traffic from both Udhampur and Qazigund sides to prevent congestion and ensure safety, advising commuters to avoid travel until clearance is confirmed.
Similar disruptions have been recurrent in the region, often exacerbated by incessant downpours that wash away temporary repairs and trigger fresh slides in vulnerable areas like Shalgadi, Nachilana, Panthyal, and Maroog. NHAI teams are deployed with machinery on standby, but progress is stalled as prior restoration work has been wiped out, requiring a fresh start once rains subside. The India Meteorological Department has forecasted continued heavy to very heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir, raising risks of further flash floods, mudslides, and shooting stones along NH-44.
Travelers are urged to check updates from Traffic Control Units (TCUs) in Jammu, Srinagar, Ramban, and Udhampur before planning journeys. Alternative routes like Mughal Road and SSG Road may be viable where open, but overall mobility remains limited. This blockage highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in the 250-km highway, which has faced repeated closures from weather-related incidents, impacting essential supplies and regional connectivity. Full restoration could take days or longer, depending on weather clearance.
