The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully reopened the Bandipora-Gurez road in north Kashmir on Sunday morning, freeing dozens of stranded vehicles after a night-long operation to clear over a dozen landslides. Triggered by heavy rainfall and a cloudburst on Saturday evening, the landslides blocked the vital 85-km mountain route, disrupting traffic and stranding passengers on both sides.

The BRO’s 56 Road Construction Company and 32nd Border Roads Task Force launched a rescue and clearance effort from 8 pm to 4 am, deploying bulldozers, earthmovers, and manpower under challenging conditions. By 5 am, the road was cleared, allowing stranded vehicles to proceed to their destinations. The operation also mitigated the impact of flooding in nearby villages like Kanzalwan and Korulbal, where residents had temporarily relocated due to gushing waters.

Despite the reopening, traffic remains suspended as a precaution due to ongoing risks of falling stones from hillocks overlooking the road. Authorities have advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and drive cautiously, citing the Meteorological Department’s forecast of light to moderate precipitation in north Kashmir’s higher reaches over the next 24 hours. The BRO continues to monitor the route, with machinery stationed at critical points like Razdan Pass to address potential disruptions.

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This swift response underscores the BRO’s critical role in maintaining connectivity in Kashmir’s remote areas, where the Bandipora-Gurez road serves as a lifeline for Gurez Valley residents, often cut off during harsh weather.

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