Boulder Hits SUV in Poonch, Two Dead; Jammu-Srinagar NH Shut

5 Injured as Van Falls into Gorge in Doda; Landslides Block Kishtwar Highway; Chopper Service to Vaishno Devi Shrine Suspended

- HT Correspondents

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Two people onboard a Mahindra Scorpio were killed after they were hit by a massive boulder in Surankote area of Poonch district due to heavy rains that triggered landslides and shooting stones. Their vehicle was hit by a big boulder in which both the men inside the SUV were killed, said a police officer. Meanwhile, five people were injured after their Maruti van veered off the road amid rains and plunged into a gorge in Thathri area of Doda district on Thursday, said officials.

"An Eeco van, on its way from Cheera to Thathri, plunged into a gorge causing injuries to five people," said a police officer.

The injured were shifted to primary health centre in Thathri for treatment, he added.

Meanwhile, heavy landslides at Pahgaumarh Drabshalla have closed Kishtwar-Doda National Highway (NH 244).

"Rains triggered landslides at Pahgaumarh Drabshalla as a result several commuters have been left stranded. Authorities have deployed men and machinery to clear the debris and restore traffic," said a traffic police officer.

He advised the travellers to check with traffic control units for updates on the status of highways before starting their journey. Heavy rains in the plains and fresh snowfall in upper reaches since Thursday have plummeted the mercury by a few notches across the region.

The Met department has forecast moderate to heavy rain and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir till Friday.