Srinagar, July 08: Heavy rains triggered landslides, mudslides at multiple places along 270 kilometer Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban while the road connecting two tunnels T3 and T5 (which bypasses the Panthyal tunnel) was washed off after landslides hit these areas.
Pertinent to mention, heavy rain, occurred in several areas of the Ramban district on Saturday with visuals of the massive cave-in have going viral on social media.
SSP Traffic, National Highway, Rohit Baskotra. Baskotra said the vehicular traffic on Srinagar-Jammu highway was suspended on Saturday morning due to the landslides, slush and shooting stones at Mehad area, Seri and near Tunnel 1 and Tunnel 2 in Marog area of Ramban district.
He further said that the condition of the road was bad in Mehad due to landslides and slush. Jammu and Srinagar bound traffic has been stopped at Nagrota, Jakheni Udhampur and Quazigund.
“Some of the LMVs have been sent back while others are kept in Yatri Niwas and other lodgement centres in Chanderkot or in community kitchens enroute the highway,” he said.
SSP advised people not to travel on NH-44, Mughal road and Sonmarg road till restoration work is completed.
“At Ramban, where the rains have washed away stretch of the road near the tunnels, NHAI has started work on war footing to make old alignment of NH-44 at Panthyal motorable till the damaged portion of road between tunnels T-5 andT-3 is restored, he informed.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Mohita Sharma, said on Twitter: “Heavy rain along with landslide, mudslide and shooting stones in various stretches of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at Ramban have closed the highway till clearance.”
SSP Sharma further appealed to the public to consult the Traffic Control Unit (TCU) for the latest highway status before planning any travel. NH-44, Mughal road & SSG road r blocked due 2 landslides. People are advised not to travel till clearance,” said the J&K Traffic Police on Twitter.
In another tweet, Sharma said restoration work going on Dalwas, Panthyal and other places and highway is still closed due to slide and shooting stones in various stretches. Advised people to ask TCU before making travel plans, she said.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Zia said the ongoing repair works by NHAI on Maitra side of road, near south portal of Jhula Bridge has been hampered due to heavy rains over the last two days. “Except Dhalwas, the road is fine and clear. Single there, added.
The Met department has forecast heavy rains with thunder and lightning across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Rajouri district police issued an advisory, requesting people to not move close to water bodies, especially rivers, in view of apprehensions of flash floods amid rainfall. People should also refrain from grazing their cattle near water bodies till there is improvement in weather conditions, the advisory read.
As per the weather department, there is flood threat in Kashmir Valley as heavy rainfall activity is recorded in parts of South Kashmir. During the past 24-36 hrs heavy rainfall recorded in South Kashmir and parts of Jammu region while in central and North Kashmir light to moderate rainfall also reported there.
“More rain showers are predicted across Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24hrs with higher activities towards Jammu and parts of South Kashmir,” the MeT said.
Director MeT Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that heavy rains lashed plains and higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir. Snowfall was recorded over higher reaches.
He said on Sunday they are expecting intermittent light to moderate rains likely at many places of Jammu and Kashmir with possibility of heavy showers at isolated places of Jammu region.
“We are expecting improvement in weather conditions from Monday onward, however light rain, thunderstorm at isolated places can’t be ruled out.
In an ad advisory, MeT said there is risk of Flash Flood, Landslide, Mudslide increased at vulnerable spots & Lower Catchment Areas. Stay Alert “ Temporary disruption of surface transportation over Srinagar-Jammu NH, Mughal Road, Srinagar-Leh NH and other major hilly roads,” it said.
Meanwhile, an official at Irrigation and Flood Control told Rising Kashmir that there is no threat of floods in Kashmir. He acknowledged that some areas of south Kashmir received good rainfall due to water level had increased in some nallas and river tributaries.
According to the official, key gauge levels at various locations indicate that the water levels remain well below the danger mark. At Sangam, the gauge level reads 21.46 feet (out of 25 feet), while at Ram Munshi Bagh, it is recorded at 17.02 feet (out of 21 feet). These readings reaffirm that the alert level is below the threshold for potential flooding, providing reassurance to the local population.
He said tributaries in south Kashmir are filled with rainfall water, but there is no situation of floods in the valley.
While sharing the gauge level at 9:00 pm 08/07/2023 of river jhelum at multiple locations that includes Sangam (21’/25′)=21.46ft, Pampore (4.5/5.0m)=4.69m, MunshiBagh (18’/21′)=17.02f, Asham (14’/16.5′)=10.31ft, Wullar (1578.0m)=1577.07m
While tributaries included Vishow Nallah at Khudwani (8.5m)=8.11m, Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi (5.7m)=2.82m, Doodhganga Nallah at Barzulla (3.8m)=1.94m, Sindh Nallah at Doderhama (3.9m)=2.90m
