Jammu, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A massive landslide disrupted traffic on the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Monday, forcing authorities to regulate movement along the affected stretch.
Traffic department officials said the landslide occurred near Darmathal-Dewal in the Udhampur-Chenani sector, particularly blocking movement on the Srinagar-bound upper tube.
Large quantities of mud, rocks and debris fell onto the highway, disrupting traffic on the critical route. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), along with local teams, deployed machinery to clear the debris and restore traffic.
Traffic movement around Jakhani and Dewal-Samroli also remained affected, with authorities implementing intermittent halts, single-lane diversions and controlled releases depending on road conditions.
Officials advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel on the affected stretch until weather conditions improve and the highway is declared safe for normal movement. Motorists heading towards Kashmir have also been urged to check the latest traffic advisories and exercise caution on vulnerable sections.
The nearly 300-km Jammu-Srinagar highway remains a crucial supply lifeline for the landlocked Kashmir Valley. While the Jammu-Srinagar train service has reduced dependence on the highway for passenger movement, most essential commodities continue to reach the Valley by road.
The highway is also vital for transporting apples and other horticultural produce from Kashmir to markets outside the Union Territory.
With apple harvesting already underway in the Valley, timely transportation has become particularly important for orchardists. Prolonged highway closures can cause significant losses as fresh produce has a limited shelf life and can deteriorate if it does not reach markets or cold-storage facilities in time.
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