Officials in Jammu and Kashmir's Dharmari Sub Division have placed a total night-time restriction on vehicle travel in the wake of heavy downpour that has extensively damaged road infrastructure. The directive, signed by the Sub Divisional Magistrate on August 24, bars all private and public vehicles from operating between 8:00 pm and 6:00 am every day on all roads, especially the Reasi-Arnas-Mahore (RAM) road.
The restrictions will continue until September 22, 2025, unless withdrawn earlier. There are exceptions for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire departments, police vehicles, and government vehicles deployed for relief and restoration work. For enforcement, the SDPO Arnas has been instructed to establish checkpoints and initiate legal action against defaulters.
The prohibition is in the wake of incessant rains in Jammu and Kashmir, which have brought widespread destruction. Landslides, erosion, and waterlogging have rendered many hilly roads unsafe. On Sunday, a huge landslide close to Balinallah had crushed a petrol pump on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, and the Dhar road in Udhampur's Dudar Nullah was also blocked after huge boulders came tumbling down.
The danger of flash floods and cloudbursts persists, with the weather department forecasting moderate to heavy rain in the high reaches until August 27. Last month, a killer cloudburst in Kishtwar during the Machail Mata Yatra claimed over 60 lives, causing sudden flash floods and devastation along the pilgrimage path.
The rain has not only disrupted movement but also led to a suspension of schools. The Directorate of School Education declared that all government and private schools within Jammu Division would be closed on August 25 owing to inclement weather. On the other hand, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) postponed Class 10 and Class 11 examinations scheduled for the day, citing safety.
ALSO READ: Landslide Near Vaishno Devi Shrine Kills 5, Yatra Suspended as Heavy Rain Batters J&K
As rain continued to pound the area, life was brought to a standstill in many districts. Waterlogged low-lying areas, along with landslides on mountain roads, have escalated safety concerns. Authorities have asked people not to venture out unless necessary and remain vigilant for further updates.
For now, Dharmari’s night ban highlights the gravity of the crisis, as authorities scramble to protect lives while struggling to keep vital routes open amid nature’s fury.
