Light snowfall on higher reaches of K’war, Doda
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 26: The busy Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained blocked for over five and half hours after massive landslide and falling of boulders today while rain and light snowfall on the higher reaches of Doda and Kishtwar was reported last night.
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Official sources said that despite clear weather today, the National Highway was blocked at Karol, near Chanderkote, after huge rocks and boulders came crashing down on the road. No untoward incidents occurred as police and traffic cops stopped traffic just minutes before the landslide, preventing any casualties or damage to vehicles.
With the falling of boulders and landslides both the tubes of the highway were blocked. The authorities stopped the movement of vehicles at Chanderkote, Nashri, Chenani and Udhampur besides outskirts of Ramban, Ramsoo and Banihal area, to prevent traffic jamming on the busy highway.
SSP Traffic Raja Adil Hamid and DC Ramban Mohd Alyas Khan besides senior officials of National Highway Authority of India reached the spot. They summoned the machines for the road clearance work.
One tube towards mountain was already partially closed due to light landslide two days ago and the authorities had diverted the movement of traffic towards single tube since yesterday. But today with fresh landslide at around 2 pm, both the tubes were closed. With the deployment of multiple machines one tube was cleared at around 7.40 pm.
“One tube has been cleared and traffic restored at Karol, Chanderkote,” a senior official said, adding that vehicles of both sides are being allowed to pass through this operational tube.
Official said Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Alyas Khan monitored road clearance operations immediately after a massive landslide struck NH-44 between Karol and Chanderkote.
SSP Traffic, Raja Adil Hameed and other officers were also present on the occasion.
The Deputy Commissioner supervised the operation and directed the concerned agencies to ensure coordinated and timely action. Acting swiftly, NHAI cleared the debris and restore traffic movement.
In view of prompt response and the active involvement of all stakeholders, traffic movement was restored on both sides of the highway late this evening. Meanwhile, maintenance and stabilization work is being carried out continuously to ensure the safety and durability of the road stretch.
The District Administration has advised drivers and commuters to exercise caution while traveling on the affected stretch and to strictly follow traffic advisories issued by the authorities.
Reports from Kishtwar and Doda said that rain and light snowfall has been reported from some higher reaches of the area. Sinthantop also received light snowfall and Kishtwar-Kukernag road continued to be blocked. Higher reaches of Pir Panjal also received light snowfall during morning hours, reports added.
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