Amidst inclement weather forecast, massive landslide blocks Jammu-Srinagar highway

Srinagar: Amidst inclement weather forecast till April 10 across J&K, a massive landslide blocked the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday.
According to the MeT office in Srinagar, the weather in Jammu and Kashmir will generally remain cloudy with intermittent light to moderate rain and snowfall over higher reaches.
The department said a few places in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions may receive moderate to heavy rainfall, along with light to moderate snowfall in higher reaches during the night of April 7 and morning of April 8.
Amid the weather conditions, a massive landslide struck a stretch between Digdol and Khooni Nallah in Ramban along National Highway-44, leading to complete blockage of the road, officials said.
They said debris and boulders rolled down onto the highway, rendering the route impassable and forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement as a precautionary measure.
Commuters have been advised to avoid travel on the highway until clearance operations are completed and the road is declared safe, officials said, adding that restoration work will begin subject to weather conditions.
The MeT office also warned of thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places.
It said intense showers over short periods could trigger flash floods, landslides in vulnerable areas and water logging in low-lying locations.
On April 9 and 10, brief spells of light rain or thundershowers are expected at scattered places, mainly during afternoon hours.
The weather is likely to remain generally dry from April 11 to 16, although brief spells of light rain at isolated places cannot be ruled out, it said.
Advising caution, the department asked farmers to suspend farm operations, while travellers were urged to plan their movement in line with weather and traffic advisories