Srinagar, The critical Srinagar-Jammu highway, serving as the sole surface link between the Kashmir valley and the rest of India, has been shut down following a series of fresh landslides in the Ramban district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The closure has left hundreds of vehicles, mostly trucks, stranded along the route, disrupting the movement of goods and people.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the highway was initially closed on Monday, and although there was a brief reopening on Wednesday afternoon, it was swiftly shut down again due to the ongoing danger. Traffic authorities have announced that no new traffic will be allowed on the highway for the next three days, citing fresh landslides at Kishtwari Pathar and falling stones in the Mehar-Cafeteria, Rampari, Gangroo, and Seeri areas between Ramban and Banihal as the primary reasons for the closure.

The traffic police are currently working on restoration efforts at Kishtwari Pather but have advised against travel on the highway until it is deemed safe. The situation highlights the vulnerability of this vital corridor to natural disasters, particularly landslides, which frequently occur in the region due to its mountainous terrain.

In a tragic incident related to the highway’s closure, a laborer from Uttar Pradesh died after being caught in a massive landslide in the Seeri area of Ramban district along the highway on Thursday. The laborer, identified as Desh Pal, was reportedly working for a private construction company at the time of the incident.

The continued closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway not only impacts the economic flow between Kashmir and the rest of India but also poses significant challenges for emergency and restoration efforts in the affected areas. Authorities are working diligently to clear the debris and ensure the road’s safety for travelers, but the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing risks faced by those living and working in this strategically important region.