Gurez-Bandipora road reopens after night-long operation by BRO

Bandipora, Aug 24: A cloudburst struck the Gurez-Bandipora road on Saturday evening, triggering heavy landslides at multiple spots and forcing the closure of this vital mountain route. Several vehicles remained stranded as mounds of debris blocked the highway.

Officials said that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) immediately launched a massive clearance drive and worked through the night to restore traffic. Bulldozers and earthmovers were pressed into service, and despite continuous rain and difficult conditions, the road was cleared by dawn.

Around 5:00 am on Sunday, stranded vehicles were finally allowed to move, bringing relief to the passengers who had spent the night waiting.

The impact of the cloudburst was also felt in nearby villages, including Kanzalwan and Korulbal, where residents were alarmed by gushing waters and temporary flooding. Many families moved to safer places for the night but returned home on Sunday morning as water levels receded.

Meanwhile, traffic has been resumed on the Gurez-Bandipora road, but authorities have urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel as the stretch remains vulnerable to fresh landslides.

Adding to the weather impact, light snowfall was reported at Razdan Pass on Saturday evening, accompanied by widespread rain across the region. The change in weather has brought a dip in temperatures, but officials have advised motorists to drive cautiously on slippery, mountainous stretches.

The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate precipitation in the higher reaches of north Kashmir over the next 24 hours. [KNT]