J&K floods: Mughal Road reopens as water starts receding, Jammu-Srinagar highway still shut

J&K floods

The flood situation improved in Kashmir on Friday as water levels of River Jhelum and its tributaries came down due to two days of dry weather conditions in the region. However, the 250-km long Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained closed for vehicular traffic on Friday as well, while the Mughal road was partially opened for traffic.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, thousands have been affected and evacuated due to the floods particularly in low-lying areas across Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Srinagar districts. Meanwhile, in Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, Jhelum’s water level came down by around 3 feet but is still above the alert level of 18 feet.

Efforts being made to reopen J&K highway: Jammu DC

Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar visited the flood-affected areas to review the restoration work on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district on Friday and said efforts are being made to reopen the highway by the next morning so that essential supplies can be facilitated to the valley.

A seven-member inter-ministerial central team (IMCT) visited flood affected areas of Udhampur and Reasi districts on Friday.

The team is on a five-day visit to the region to assess the damages due to monsoon fury. “The senior central team visited Balli Nullah and Tharad Bridge on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and other landslide hit areas to assess the damages caused to the infrastructure,” Udhampur district commissioner Saloni Rai was quoted by HT as saying.

As per the report, the team will visit Kishtwar, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch districts till Sunday. The officials also received feedback of the widespread damage caused by heavy rains since August this year. Jammu region was battered by the heavy downpour in August that also saw over 150 deaths in rain related incidents.

Pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi shrine remains suspended

Hindustan Times reported that the pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi remained suspended for 11th consecutive day since August 26, when 34 pilgrims were killed in a massive landslide near Ardhkuwari enroute the three peaked shrines.

Though the weather has improved significantly with the sun shining brightly after ten days, the authorities are yet to take a call on resuming the pilgrimage.