Jammu: Life across Jammu division continued to be severely affected on Saturday for the fifth consecutive day as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed and rail services were disrupted due to extensive flood damage.
The 270-km-long highway, the only all-weather link between Kashmir and the rest of India, has been blocked at multiple points between Jakhani and Chenani in Udhampur following landslides triggered by heavy rains and flash floods on August 26. Over 2,000 vehicles are stranded, and shortages of fuel, LPG, fresh vegetables, and other essentials have been reported across several districts. Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Saloni Rai, said restoration work is expected to be completed by Saturday evening.
The Mughal Road, connecting Poonch with Shopian in the Valley, remains the only alternative route, operating as one-way traffic. Several drivers have demanded two-way access to ease congestion. While some inter-district roads in Jammu remain cut off, the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway is partially functional, though two bridge tubes have sustained damage.
Power supply has been restored in most urban areas, but rural pockets across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, and Udhampur continue to face outages. Water shortages in Old Jammu City have prompted protests despite tanker services. Pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra remains suspended.
Rail services are unlikely to resume normal operations soon due to damage to multiple railway bridges and tracks. Bridges 17 (Kathua-Madhopur) and 137 (Hiranagar-Ghagwal) have sustained extensive damage. Authorities plan to run a few special trains on the single restored track to facilitate limited travel between Jammu and Delhi, with two special trains scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Track restoration between Katra and Jammu is expected by Sunday.
The MET Department has forecast light to moderate rainfall in Jammu division from August 30 to September 2, with isolated heavy rain and thundershowers in some districts. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, avoid rivers and loose structures, and take necessary safety measures due to the risk of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones.
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