Kashmir's Crucial Lifeline Severed: Jammu-Srinagar Highway Bows to Monsoon Fury

The vital Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, often hailed as Kashmir's lifeline, has once again succumbed to the relentless power of nature, grinding to a halt following massive landslides and mudslides in the Udhampur district. This major arterial road, connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of India, became impassable at Dewal near Samroli, leaving countless commuters stranded and disrupting essential supply lines.

Torrential monsoon rains lashing Jammu and Kashmir triggered the devastating geological event, sending tons of earth and debris crashing onto the highway.

The sheer scale of the blockage has brought all vehicular movement to a complete standstill, creating long queues of vehicles stretching for kilometers in both directions.

Road clearance agencies, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), have swiftly mobilized their teams and heavy machinery to the affected site.

Their personnel are working tirelessly against challenging conditions to clear the debris and restore connectivity. However, officials have warned that the colossal task could take several hours, if not longer, to fully clear the highway, given the extent of the slides and the continuing inclement weather.

This is not an isolated incident for the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which is notorious for frequent closures during periods of heavy rainfall or snowfall, particularly during winter.

The highway’s mountainous terrain makes it highly vulnerable to landslides, often leaving the region isolated.

Adding to the region's connectivity woes, the alternative Mughal Road, which links Poonch in the Jammu region with Shopian in South Kashmir, has also been rendered impassable. This dual blow to Kashmir's major road networks underscores the profound impact of the current weather spell on the region's transportation infrastructure and the daily lives of its inhabitants.