J-K: Ramnagar-Udhampur road blocked after landslide near Kaugha; debris clearance underway
Udhampur, July 4
The Ramnagar-Udhampur road near Kaugha was closed to traffic on Saturday morning after heavy rainfall triggered a major landslide in the region, leaving the route blocked for commuters.
Local authorities reached the spot soon after the incident and confirmed that a debris removal machine has been deployed to clear large boulders from the road and restore movement.
Speaking to ANI, road contractor and a local of Ramnagar, Pushpinder Singh, explained that commuters faced travel disruptions after boulders descended onto the road near Kaugha, necessitating rapid clearance operations by local maintenance crews.
"We received a message around 7.00 AM that the road has been blocked. We arranged for machinery and will clear the road within an hour to ensure the smooth resumption of traffic for the public," he said,
Meanwhile, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gandoh Arun Kumar Badyal advised residents to avoid landslide-prone areas and exercise caution in view of the prevailing weather conditions, warning of risks of landslides, flash floods and road blockages.
He also urged people to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel.
Authorities have appealed to the public to stay vigilant as heavy rainfall continues in the region.
Furthermore, on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the monthly average rainfall over the country as a whole during July 2026 is most likely to be below normal.
According to an IMD press release, the long-period average (LPA) of rainfall over the country as a whole during July, based on data from 1971-2020, may be about 280.4 mm. Regionally, below-normal rainfall is likely across most parts of the country except some areas of Northwest and Northeast India, Eastcentral India and the eastern peninsular region, where normal to above-normal rainfall is likely.
Currently, weak El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions are prevailing over the equatorial Pacific Ocean and neutral Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions are being observed over the Indian Ocean. The model forecast indicates that neutral IOD conditions are likely to persist during the Southwest Monsoon season.
IMD issued the first stage forecast for the 2026 southwest monsoon seasonal (June to September) rainfall over the country on April 13 and updated the forecast on May 29.
India recorded its fifth-lowest June rainfall since 1901, while the southwest monsoon is set to advance into Delhi and parts of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and the entire Jammu and Kashmir in the next two to three days, India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.
The country received 99.5 mm of rainfall against the normal 165.3 mm, a 39.8 per cent deficit, recording the fifth lowest June rainfall since 1901. Of the country's 36 meteorological subdivisions, 24 (65 per cent) recorded deficient rainfall, and three (10 per cent) witnessed large deficient rainfall during June.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good that the authorities responded quickly, but this is a recurring issue in hilly regions. I hope they have long-term solutions—better drainage systems, early warning mechanisms, and more robust road infrastructure. Also, the IMD prediction of below-normal rainfall is concerning for farmers. Let's pray for a balanced monsoon! 🌧️🙏
Living in the Himalayas means dealing with landslides every monsoon. While the prompt action by local authorities is appreciated, why aren't there more permanent barriers or netting on vulnerable slopes? This is basic engineering. India needs to invest more in disaster-resilient infrastructure, especially in J&K. 😕
The SDM's warning is timely. People should avoid unnecessary travel in these conditions, especially with heavy rain predicted. But the real issue is the lack of alternative routes in many parts of J&K. If one road gets blocked, entire villages get cut off. Hope the government works on this. 🚧
One hour clearance is commendable! But the bigger concern is the erratic monsoon—the IMD says June rainfall was the fifth lowest since 1901! That's alarming for agriculture. While urban people complain about roadblocks, our farmers are worried about the crops. We need both better roads and better rain. 🌾☔
J We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.