Jammu-Kishtwar national highway shut again, 3,000 stranded

DODA: More than 3,000 people were stranded after the Jammu-Kishtwar National Highway was closed following a massive landslide at Karara, 25 km from here.

"The Jammu-Kishtwar Highway was thrown open after remaining closed for four days, but it was again closed after a massive landslide blocked it at Chena Bhati in Karara some 25 km Doda town," a traffic police official said.

He said that around 400 vehicles have been stranded on the Highway.

We have deployed men and machinery to clear the debris from the Highway and are trying our best to throw it open soon," he said.

Meanwhile, the Doda-Bhaderwah Highway continues to remain closed for the seventh consecutive day today leading to shortage of essential commodities in the district.

"The three tehsils of Bhaderwah including Bhala, Chinta and Bhaderwah of the district are facing shortage of essential commodities, including cooking gas and fresh vegetables. All the petrol pumps in the area too are running dry," said Pawan Kumar, a local resident.