Jammu-Srinagar highway blocked by landslide near Udhampur on Monday
Synopsis
A landslide on NH-44 near Udhampur has hit at the worst possible moment — apple harvest season is underway in Kashmir, and every hour the highway stays blocked risks fruit rotting before it reaches buyers. The road remains the Valley's primary supply artery despite the new rail link, making this more than a traffic story.
Key Takeaways
A massive landslide struck NH-44 near Darmathal-Dewal in Udhampur district on 17 August , blocking Srinagar-bound traffic.
NHAI and local teams deployed machinery to clear mud, rocks, and debris from the affected stretch.
Sections around Jakhani and Dewal-Samroli also saw disruptions, with single-lane diversions and controlled releases in place.
Authorities advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel and check traffic advisories before heading towards Kashmir .
The blockade coincides with the peak apple harvesting season , raising the risk of significant losses for Valley orchardists.
The 300-km highway remains the primary route for essential supplies and horticultural exports despite the new Srinagar-Jammu rail service .
A massive landslide on Monday, 17 August blocked traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) near Darmathal-Dewal in the Udhampur-Chenani sector of Jammu and Kashmir, with the Srinagar-bound upper tube bearing the brunt of the disruption. Large volumes of mud, rocks, and debris cascaded onto the strategic 300-km artery, prompting authorities to regulate movement at multiple points along the route.
Extent of the Disruption
Traffic movement on sections around Jakhani and Dewal-Samroli was also affected, with intermittent halts, single-lane diversions, and controlled releases implemented based on road conditions. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), alongside local teams, deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and restore normal movement on the affected stretch.
Advisory for Commuters
Authorities have advised commuters to avoid non-essential travel on the affected sector until weather conditions improve and the highway is formally declared safe. Motorists headed towards Kashmir have been urged to consult the latest traffic advisories before undertaking the journey and to exercise caution on vulnerable stretches.
Why This Highway Matters
The Jammu-Srinagar highway remains the lifeline for essential supplies to the landlocked Kashmir Valley. While the recently introduced train service between Srinagar and Jammu has eased passenger movement, the bulk of daily necessities — food, fuel, and consumer goods — continue to move into the Valley by road via NH-44.
Apple Season Raises the Stakes
The timing of the blockade is particularly damaging for the Valley's horticultural economy. The apple harvesting season is currently underway, and growers depend heavily on uninterrupted road access to move perishable produce to markets outside the Union Territory. Prolonged highway closures have historically caused significant losses for orchardists, as fruit that cannot reach buyers within a limited window — and is not stored in cold storage — deteriorates rapidly. With demand for swift transport at its seasonal peak, every hour of disruption translates directly into financial loss for farmers.
Restoration work is ongoing; authorities are expected to issue updated traffic bulletins as conditions evolve.
Point of View
But freight, particularly perishable horticultural produce, does not. Orchardists have no fallback when the road shuts, and cold storage capacity in the Valley remains insufficient to absorb a prolonged blockade. Authorities have long flagged the Udhampur-Chenani sector as landslide-prone, yet the response remains reactive rather than preventive. Until slope-stabilisation work is prioritised on the most vulnerable stretches, the Valley's economy will remain hostage to the monsoon.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the landslide occur on the Jammu-Srinagar highway?
The landslide struck near Darmathal-Dewal in the Udhampur-Chenani sector of NH-44 on 17 August. Traffic movement on sections around Jakhani and Dewal-Samroli was also disrupted.
Which direction of traffic was most affected?
The Srinagar-bound upper tube of NH-44 was particularly affected, with authorities implementing single-lane diversions and controlled releases at multiple points along the route.
What are authorities doing to restore traffic on NH-44?
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), along with local teams, has deployed heavy machinery to remove mud, rocks, and debris. Commuters have been advised to avoid non-essential travel and monitor official traffic advisories until the highway is declared safe.
Why is this landslide especially damaging right now?
The blockade coincides with Kashmir's peak apple harvesting season. Orchardists rely on uninterrupted road access to transport perishable fruit to markets outside the Union Territory; prolonged closures cause fruit to deteriorate before it reaches buyers, resulting in significant financial losses.
Has the new Srinagar-Jammu train service reduced the impact of highway closures?
The rail service has eased passenger transport between Srinagar and Jammu, but the bulk of essential supplies and horticultural produce still moves through NH-44 by road. The train has not yet replaced the highway as the primary freight corridor for the Valley.
