Valley Cut Off Again as Rains Trigger Chaos
By: Javid Amin | 04 Sep 2025
The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway (NH-44), the Valley’s lifeline for essential supplies and passenger movement, has been shut indefinitely after heavy rains triggered a chain of landslides, shooting stones, and road cave-ins between Udhampur and Banihal.
Traffic Police officials said the suspension was a precautionary measure, warning that unstable hill slopes continue to shed debris, making driving conditions life-threatening.
“Safety First” Approach
“Given the scale of landslides and the risk of shooting stones, keeping NH-44 open would have been a death trap,” said a senior traffic official in Ramban.
Restoration efforts by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) are underway, but progress remains hampered by continuous downpours and fresh slips.
Trouble Zones & Damage Assessment
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Tharad Bridge, Udhampur – structural damage reported; engineers warn of months-long repairs.
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Ramban Sector – multiple slides at Marog, Darda, and Nachlana, causing full blockages.
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Banihal Stretch – road subsidence and waterlogging making debris clearance nearly impossible.
The fragile Himalayan terrain, combined with illegal hill-cutting and deforestation, has made NH-44 increasingly vulnerable to extreme rainfall.
Supply Chain Disruption: Apples, Mutton & Essentials
The shutdown has choked Kashmir’s supply lines:
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Stranded Trucks – Dozens of vehicles carrying fresh produce, poultry, and mutton remain parked at Udhampur and Ramban.
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Apple Growers on Edge – With the apple harvest at its peak, growers fear delays could hit both fruit quality and market prices, especially as Kashmir exports over 2 million tonnes annually.
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Fuel & Medical Supplies – Stocks in Srinagar are being rationed, with traders warning of shortages if the closure persists beyond a week.
Railways Hit: 68 Trains Cancelled
In a rare move, Northern Railways has suspended 68 passenger and freight services to and from Jammu and Katra until September 30 after flash floods damaged tracks and embankments.
This compounds Kashmir’s isolation, with road, rail, and even air traffic (frequent delays at Srinagar Airport due to bad weather) affected simultaneously.
Alternate Routes: Mughal Road, SSG Corridor
Authorities are diverting goods traffic via Mughal Road (Shopian–Poonch), but the detour adds up to two extra travel days and is unsuitable for heavy convoys in bad weather.
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Mughal Road – Open for light vehicles and essential trucks, but prone to snow and landslides.
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SSG Road (Srinagar–Sonamarg–Gumri) – Open under Border Roads Organisation (BRO) clearance, mostly for local or army use.
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Kishtwar–Sinthan–Anantnag Route – narrow, risky, and not viable for bulk goods transport.
Extended Restoration Timeline
Engineers caution that full restoration of NH-44 may take months, not weeks.
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Tharad Bridge repairs alone could stretch into winter.
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Continuous rain and shooting stones are delaying clearance work.
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Experts warn that climate-intensified rains will make such blockages more frequent in the future.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed officials to prioritize supply trucks, provide shelter and food to stranded commuters, and release daily bulletins on highway status.
Public Advisory for Travelers
The J&K Traffic Police has issued strict guidelines:
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Avoid non-essential travel toward NH-44.
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Check clearance status with Traffic Control Units before journey:
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Jammu TCU: 0191-2459048
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Srinagar TCU: 0194-2450022
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Ramban TCU: 9419993745
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Udhampur TCU: 8491928625
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Carry valid photo ID for verification on alternate routes.
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Expect delays, rationing, and price hikes in perishable goods.
The Bigger Picture: Climate, Infrastructure & Policy Gaps
This isn’t just about a road closure. It’s about the fragility of J&K’s infrastructure in the face of:
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Climate Change – Intensified monsoon rainfall, glacial melts, and cloudbursts.
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Planning Failures – Weak slopes left exposed by unregulated mining and construction.
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Economic Fallout – Apple exports, daily wage workers, truckers, and shopkeepers suffer the brunt.
Urban planners and environmental experts stress the need for:
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Sustainable road engineering in the Himalayas.
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Emergency supply corridors beyond NH-44.
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Integrated climate adaptation policies for fragile hill states.
Bottom-Line: A Test of Resilience
The closure of the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway is more than an inconvenience — it is a humanitarian, economic, and environmental crisis rolled into one.
For now, J&K remains in a race against time and weather. With apples waiting in orchards, trucks stranded on slopes, and families cut off from supplies, the reopening of NH-44 is not just about a road — it’s about keeping the Valley alive and connected.
