Hundreds stranded as rain fury hits hill states

Numerous roads were blocked, hundreds of people were stuck due to landslides and pilgrimages remained suspended as an intense spell of monsoon rain continued over the northwestern Himalayan region on Saturday.

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The state machinery in three hill states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand rushed in to rescue people stuck due to the inclement weather, while the India Meteorological Department warned of more rain in the coming days.

In Jammu and Kashmir, vehicular traffic between the two regions on national highway (NH44) was suspended early on Saturday due to the landslides, slush and shooting stones at Mehad area, Seri and near Tunnel 1 and Tunnel 2 in Marog area of Ramban district, officials said.

Rohit Baskotra, senior superintendent of police, national highway, said that the Jammu and Srinagar bound traffic has been stopped at Nagrota, Jakheni Udhampur and Quazigund.

"Some of the LMVs have been sent back while others have been sent to Yatri Niwas and other lodges in Chanderkot or in community kitchens enroute the highway," he said.

Mughal Road and the Srinagar-Sonmarg roads were also blocked due to landslides, the SSP said, adding that people have been advised to avoid travel on these roads.