Amid rain & fresh landslides, Jammu-Srinagar NH closure enters Day 3

JAMMU: Torrential rain triggered fresh landslides across J&K on Friday, prompting authorities to keep Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) closed for traffic on the third consecutive day. The suspension of all major pilgrimages in the Union Territory — Amarnath, Vaishno Devi, Machhail Mata, Shiv Khori and Sarthal Mata Yatras — in place since July 19, continued for the sixth day.Officials said the NH was blocked at Deohal bridge, Samroli and Jakhani in Udhampur district, and Banihal in Ramban district. More than 1,000 vehicles remained stranded at Ramban, Nagrota, Jammu, Udhampur, Lakhanpur and Samba due to the closure. Amid concerns of fresh landslides and shooting stones along the stretch, officials urged commuters not to travel on the road until it was declared safe for movement.Kishtwar district magistrate, in an order issued Friday, barred all movement along the Kishtwar-Paddar-Gulabgarh axis from July 25-27 — in view of rain-triggered safety hazards along the stretch, such as slippery road conditions, landslips and persistent shooting stones — until further notice.All ceremonial and customary religious rituals associated with the Machhail Mata Yatra shall be performed symbolically, the order stated, advising pilgrims and the public against venturing towards Gulabgarh or Machhail between July 25-27.Rain-triggered flash floods struck Barkuanda area in Bupp, Udhampur, early Friday, affecting several households. There were no casualties. Damage assessment was underway, officials said.