Incessant rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir has once again halted traffic on the vital 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the region’s only all-weather road connecting Kashmir to the rest of India. The suspension, announced on Tuesday, follows mudslides and falling stones triggered by heavy downpours between the Samroli and Banihal sectors, rendering the route unsafe for travel.

Traffic department officials cited the severe weather and a forecast of continued heavy rainfall as reasons for the closure, prioritizing safety amid hazardous conditions. The Meteorological Department issued a warning on Monday evening, predicting moderate to heavy rainfall across the Jammu division on September 2 and 3, with a risk of “heavy to very heavy” showers in districts like Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, and Reasi. Moderate to heavy rain is also expected in Doda, Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Kishtwar, and parts of south Kashmir, including Anantnag and Kulgam, particularly from late Tuesday night into Wednesday afternoon.

The Met Department highlighted the potential for cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable areas, urging residents to avoid water bodies and landslide-prone zones due to rising river and stream levels. Kathua recorded the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours, with 25.2 mm by 8:30 AM Tuesday, followed by Jammu (17.8 mm), Batote in Ramban (17.6 mm), and Katra (15.8 mm). In the Kashmir Valley, Qazigund along the highway saw 23.2 mm of overnight rain, with Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Srinagar recording 14.8 mm, 11.4 mm, and 6.1 mm, respectively.

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The highway, critical for transporting essential goods to Kashmir, had briefly reopened for partial traffic on Monday after a six-day closure, allowing stranded trucks carrying supplies to move through. However, the renewed downpour has disrupted these efforts, leaving commuters and logistics operators in limbo. While the rain subsided in the Kashmir Valley by Tuesday morning, with sunshine breaking through, the Jammu region continued to face relentless showers, exacerbating the crisis.

Local authorities are working to clear debris and monitor the situation, but no timeline for reopening the highway has been confirmed. The closure underscores the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions and access to essential services. Residents and travelers are advised to stay updated on weather alerts and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions stabilize.

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