Srinagar, Mar 07: One person was killed and six others were injured after a car was buried under a massive landslide in the Seri area of Ramban district along the Srinagar-Jammu highway, officials said.
SSP Rambanand SSP Traffic NHW, Mohita Sharma said that a huge slide was reported at Seri in which an Alto car was buried under the debris.
“One person was killed and six others were injured when a massive landslide struck Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district on March seven, ” she said, adding that a rescue operation is underway and the two-way traffic on the strategic route has been suspended.
SSP Sharma said a car was buried under the debris while another rolled down a gorge after the landslide.
“Till late evening there were more slides and heavy shooting stones coming down was reported at Seri. Traffic will be restored once shooting stones stop,” she said.
Police identified the injured as Mohammad Taj resident of Kalakote Rajouri, Abdul Hamid, Rubeena Begum, Sakeena Begum, Salma Bano and Mohammad Amir residents of Munglu Rajouri.
Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles remained stranded for several hours after multiple slides, and shooting stones led to the blocking of the key road that connects Kashmir with the rest of the country.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mussarat Zia said traffic has been restored at Seri, Ramban on NH-44 after road clearance following a massive double landslide this afternoon.
“In view of intermittent shooting stones, people are advised to drive with caution, he said.
The NH44 is a critical link between the Valley and the rest of the country. Frequent closures, mostly due to landslides, lead to shortage of essential supplies and surge in prices.
As per the traffic departmentadvisory, subject to fair weather and road clearance, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic, it said.
The Cut Off Timings For LMV’s/Passenger/Private Cars, they will be released from Nagrota (Jammu) from 0600 hrs. to 1200 hrs. from Jakheni (Udhampur) 0700 hrs to 1300 hrs &from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qzd. side) 0800 hrs to 1200 hrs.
“TCU Jammu and TCU Srinagar will inform all concerned about the traffic advisory and cut off timings. No vehicle shall be allowed to move before and after cut off timings,” it said.
Advisory reads that Subject to fair weather and better road conditions, HMVs shall be allowed from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar after assessing the road and traffic situation on NH-44. TCU Udhampur shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the HMVs.
It says that Security Forces requested not to ply against the advisory plan in view of possible traffic congestion because of the narrow carriage way between Nashree and Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.
