Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Mar 31: Following improvement in weather conditions, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) launched simultaneous landslide clearance operations at Mehar, Hingni and other affected areas and removed the debris after which a single-lane passage was restored, allowing stranded vehicles to move from both ends of the highway.
Earlier, the vehicular traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was severely disrupted for several hours today following heavy rainfall triggered landslides and continuous shooting stones along the stretch between Nashri and Banihal.
Official sources said that traffic movement was suspended from both sides around midnight on Monday due to unsafe conditions caused by persistent rainfall and debris accumulation at multiple vulnerable points.
The worst-affected location was near Mehar truck yard, where a massive landslide blocked both tubes of the highway, leaving several vehicles stranded.
Officials stated that restoration work was still underway to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow, as several stretches of the highway remain vulnerable.
Commuters have been advised to maintain strict lane discipline, as overtaking and wrong-lane driving can lead to congestion, particularly along single-lane sections.
Authorities have also urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel on NH-44 until weather conditions improve and the road is fully stabilized.
Authorities have advised the travellers to check real-time updates from traffic authorities before undertaking their journey.
SSP Traffic Police National Highway Ramban, Raja Adil Hameed supervised the road clearance and traffic regulation in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, traffic authorities stated that Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained blocked for seven hours due to landslides and shooting stones between Nashri Tunnel and Banihal.
After clearance, traffic has been restored from both sides. Commuters are advised to avoid travel during night as there is an apprehension of shooting stones and slides.
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