Heavy Rain Continues In Jammu Region; Jammu-Srinagar Highway Remains Closed: Northern Railway Runs Special Trains

In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rainfall continued to lash several parts of the Jammu division for the third consecutive day today, triggering cloudbursts and flash floods across the region. The 250-kilometre strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained closed to traffic due to inclement weather.

Authorities have advised residents to use water sparingly, boil drinking water before consumption and cooperate with restoration teams.

In Jammu district, SDRF and police personnel rescued two men trapped in the swollen Tawi River at Phallian Mandal. Both were shifted to safety and are reported to be stable.

In Doda district, SDRF personnel were deployed along the banks of the Chenab River at Pul Doda as water levels rose. Authorities have advised people to stay away from rivers and other vulnerable locations.

In Rajouri district, SDRF personnel facilitated the safe crossing of Power Development Department staff across a swollen river to restore electricity supply in affected areas. Another SDRF team has been stationed in Akhnoor’s Pragwal area to monitor the rising Chenab River, spread public awareness and respond to any flood-like situation.

Officials said the water level in the Chenab River at Akhnoor crossed the flood alert mark again in the evening, touching 33 feet against the alert level of 32 feet. The danger mark has been fixed at 35 feet.

In Kishtwar district, heavy rainfall led to the collapse of a mud house in the Chatroo Famber area. While all family members escaped unhurt, 25 sheep were killed in the incident.

Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed due to fresh landslides and shooting stones at multiple locations in Ramban district. Traffic authorities said only stranded and local vehicles were allowed to move after limited clearance operations, while restoration work is continuing.

Commuters have been advised to avoid travelling on the highway until it is declared safe, as intermittent rainfall continues and there is a possibility of fresh landslides and shooting stones.

The Meteorological Department has forecast another spell of rain and thundershowers at many places today, followed by scattered showers between 25 and 27 July. A fresh wet spell is expected to affect Jammu and Kashmir from 28 July onwards.

Northern Railway Runs Special Train For Stranded Passengers Amid Highway Closure

In Jammu and Kashmir, amid the continued closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to heavy rainfall, landslides and shooting stones, the Northern Railway yesterday introduced a special train between Srinagar and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to facilitate stranded passengers. The special train was introduced following a request from Commercial Control, Jammu, in view of the heavy passenger rush caused by restrictions and slow movement of traffic on the national highway.

The special service helped evacuate more than 600 passengers affected by the disruption in road connectivity. It facilitated the movement of passengers who were unable to travel by road due to the prevailing weather conditions and the closure of the highway.

The additional service comes as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has remained closed due to multiple landslides, shooting stones and road erosion at several locations, leaving hundreds of vehicles and passengers stranded.