Examiner Bureau | Srinagar:
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained closed to traffic on Saturday morning as restoration work continued on the Ladha–Samroli stretch in Udhampur district following heavy rainfall, disrupting civilian movement and forcing the suspension of the Shri Amarnath Yatra convoy, officials said.
According to the Traffic Police’s 4:00 a.m. advisory, the affected stretch has become heavily slushy, muddy, and extremely slippery, making it unsafe for vehicular movement. Restoration work is being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), with support from Traffic Police personnel and heavy machinery to clear the route and restore connectivity.
Authorities have advised commuters to avoid travelling on NH-44 until the highway is fully restored and declared safe for traffic.
With the highway remaining closed, neither civilian vehicles nor the Shri Amarnath Yatra convoy were allowed to ply on the route on Saturday morning.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall continued across Ramban and Udhampur districts, including the Chenani–Nashri Tunnel area, slowing restoration efforts and posing additional challenges to road-clearing operations.
As a precautionary measure, the District Administration Ramban ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the district for the day. The Chief Education Officer directed educational institutions to conduct classes in online mode to ensure continuity of academic activities.
Similarly, the Chief Education Officer, Doda, announced the closure of all government and private schools across the district on August 1 due to adverse weather conditions, instructing schools to shift to online classes.
In a separate weather-related incident, a cloudburst struck the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district at around 2:30 a.m., triggering flash floods that reportedly washed away several vehicles and damaged property. Officials said no casualties or injuries had been reported, while assessment of the damage was still underway.
The Chatroo–Kishtwar National Highway was also closed to vehicular traffic following the cloudburst as authorities monitored the situation.
Officials have urged residents and travellers to avoid unnecessary movement in vulnerable areas until weather conditions improve and restoration work is completed.
