Jammu-Srinagar Highway Shut for Third Day After Flash Floods, Partial Restoration Likely Wednesday

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a vital link between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India, remained closed for the third straight day on Tuesday due to extensive damage caused by flash floods and landslides in Jammu’s Ramban district.

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the highway has been damaged at 22 locations, with around 4 to 5 kilometers of road completely washed away. Restoration efforts are ongoing at full pace.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that partial restoration of the highway is expected by Wednesday. He also confirmed that relief operations in the affected Ramban areas are underway, with district officials actively engaged in restoring power and water supply.

The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall on Sunday, claimed three lives and left over 100 people stranded. While rescue teams have evacuated the trapped, many vehicles remain buried under debris. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who visited the worst-hit area, described the damage as severe but not meeting the threshold for a national disaster.

Amid panic buying of fuel and essentials in the Valley, authorities have urged calm, assuring sufficient supplies. Meanwhile, the Mughal Road remains open for one-way traffic, and demand for air travel has surged.