Jammusrinagar NH remains shut for 10hrs
Rains triggered landslides on the highway from Udhampur to Banihal; traffic was later restored partially
JAMMU:THE traffic on the Jammusrinagar national highway remained disrupted for more than 10 hours on Monday due to incessant rains that triggered landslides and shooting stones. The 294-km highway was blocked from Udhampur to Banihal, however, the traffic was partially restored by the evening.
Seeri, Shan Palace and Panthyal in Ramban, and Kheri in Udhampur district are some places that witnessed landslides, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on the highway. It is learnt that around 700 passengers were stuck in Udhampur, Chenani, Batote and Ramban. However, only one way traffic movement was allowed on the highway. Meanwhile, Hindustan Construction Company, engaged in four-lane project of Ramban to Banihal section, cleared debris from the highway. SSP (traffic), national highway (NH), Shakti Pathak said, “The vehicular movement on the highway was blocked by multiple landslides and people are stranded at various locations on the highway.”
However, another traffic official said it will take another day for the complete restoration of the highway, but only if it doesn’t rain on Tuesday.
An elderly couple was electrocuted to death outside their home in Chati Bhatti area of Surankote in Poonch district on Sunday. While in an another incident on Monday, Javed Iqbal, 29, of Poonch, was washed away in flooded stream at Dobawash. Later, his body was recovered from Gorian area.