A massive landslide blocked National Highway 144 at Lasana in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, stranding more than 200 vehicles [1].
The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical transport arteries in the region during periods of heavy precipitation. Because NH-144 serves as a primary link for the district, any blockage disrupts the flow of essential goods and emergency services, creating significant logistical challenges for the local administration.
Heavy rainfall triggered the landslide, causing debris to obstruct the highway [1]. The blockage led to a complete halt of traffic, leaving hundreds of commuters and transport vehicles trapped at the site [2]. Local authorities and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) responded to the emergency to restore connectivity.
BRO teams, working in coordination with the local administration, conducted a clearance operation to remove the debris from the road [1]. The operation lasted five hours before the highway was reopened to the public [2].
Once the road was cleared, the backlog of stranded vehicles began to move. The BRO continues to monitor the stretch of highway in Lasana, as further rain forecasts for Jammu and Kashmir increase the risk of subsequent soil instability [1].
“A massive landslide blocked National Highway 144 at Lasana in the Poonch district.”
The recurring nature of landslides on NH-144 underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain infrastructure in the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir. Frequent disruptions during the rainy season suggest that current road stabilization measures may be insufficient to withstand intensifying weather patterns, necessitating more permanent engineering solutions to ensure regional security and economic stability.
