# Landslide disrupts Srinagar-Jammu highway traffic at Dewal 2026-09-21T02:21:35+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Vehicular movement on the Srinagar, Jammu National Highway (NH-44) was disrupted on Sunday evening after a fresh landslide and shooting stones hit the road at Dewal in Udhampur district, reducing the affected stretch to a single lane. Traffic Police officials said movement was being regulated on a one-way basis. NHAI's Udhampur unit was informed and asked to deploy men and machinery for clearance. Srinagar-bound heavy vehicles were temporarily stopped at Flata and Malal to prevent congestion. The disruption came amid an already challenging traffic situation on NH-44 due to ongoing four-laning works, rain-related damage, and vehicle breakdowns. A 30-40-metre portion of the highway at Dewal had earlier suffered damage from heavy rainfall, with traffic already being regulated through a single lane there. In Ramban district, traffic remained slow along the Maroog, Kishtwari Pather stretch. Intermittent congestion was also reported along the Banihal, Nachlana section due to nomadic livestock herds migrating from Kashmir towards Jammu. SSP Traffic National Highway Raja Adil Hameed advised commuters to follow directions of traffic personnel and exercise caution. Traffic on both sides of the landslide was temporarily stopped late Sunday evening for restoration work. ## Indian Opinion Analysis NH-44 carries the bulk of Kashmir's road freight and passenger traffic, making even single-lane blockages a costly disruption for transporters and local economies. The highway has seen repeated landslide damage during monsoon seasons, with Dewal and Ramban sections among the most prone stretches. NHAI is responsible for clearance and restoration under its standard maintenance contracts, but ongoing four-laning expansion has narrowed the usable carriageway at several points, compounding vulnerability. The night window for oil tankers between Chenani and Digdole reflects long-standing daytime restrictions imposed for construction safety. With rain and nomadic livestock migration both active, traffic on NH-44 will remain unpredictable until restoration work is complete and the monsoon season ends. ## Coverage - greaterkashmir.com Tags: NH-44, NHAI, Ramban, Srinagar-Jammu Highway, Udhampur Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/landslide-disrupts-srinagar-jammu-highway-traffic-at-dewal/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/landslide-disrupts-srinagar-jammu-highway-traffic-at-dewal/#story-in-brief