Landslide disrupts Srinagar-Jammu highway traffic at Dewal

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.