Incessant rains and snowfall in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday triggered a massive and destructive landslide, resulting in the complete collapse of a mountain slope within seconds in Reasi area of the state. The problem of landslides has become very common and frequent in the Kashmir valley. Almost every year major landslides affect the state, causing significant hardship to many people. Though panic gripped the state following Saturday's major collapse in Reasi, no casualty has been reported in the incident so far.
Meanwhile, most spectacular is the video below showing the major slope collapse in Reasi area of the state. Watch Video
The landslide also led to blocking of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, hours after it was opened for one-way traffic. The highway was opened for Kashmir-bound vehicles after remaining closed for the past five days. About eight inches of snow had accumulated on the ground near the Jawahar Tunnel - the gateway to Kashmir, while incessant rains triggered landslides and sent stones hurling down a hillock at several places between Banihal and Ramban, forcing closure of the highway.
Even the operations to clear the debris could not be started due to continuous downpour in the state. The closure of the highway left thousands of commuters, who had left for Srinagar from winter capital Jammu stranded at various places. However, the vehicles stranded in the landslide-prone areas are being moved to safety. Meanwhile, authorities have been directed not to allow any fresh vehicle on the highway until the road is not made traffic worthy.
Earlier on Monday, the 270-km strategic highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was closed after multiple landslides and sinking of a portion of a road near Ramban town. After restoring the road and clearing the stranded vehicles, including truck carrying essential commodities to Srinagar, authorities decided to allow Kashmir-bound traffic from Jammu on Saturday.
The high-altitude areas experienced fresh snowfall, while the plains were lashed by intermittent rains since Friday evening. The weatherman has forecast moderate rain or snow on higher reaches till Sunday evening.
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