Srinagar/Shimla: Travelers planning to cross the Himalayas today face severe disruptions as a powerful Western Disturbance has blanketed both Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. As of Saturday evening (Jan 24), the lifeline of the Kashmir Valley, NH-44, remains completely shut, while the main access to Shimla has been severed near Heeranagar.
J&K Traffic Update: Valley Cut Off
The J&K Traffic Police have issued a strict advisory asking commuters not to undertake any journey on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
- The Blockade: Heavy snow accumulation at the Navyug Tunnel (Banihal side) and shooting stones in the Ramban-Banihal sector have made the road unmotorable.
- Stranded Vehicles: Trucks and light motor vehicles are currently stranded at designated safe zones in Udhampur and Qazigund.
- Alternate Routes: The historic Mughal Road (connecting Poonch to Shopian) and the Srinagar-Sonamarg (SSG) road remain closed for winter.
Himachal Pradesh: Major BlockagesIn neighboring Himachal, the infrastructure has taken a severe hit with 636 roads reported closed.
Manali-Atal Tunnel: The administration is allowing only 4×4 vehicles with anti-skid chains to proceed towards the Atal Tunnel and Solang Valley due to heavy snow.
Shimla Cut Off: The National Highway connecting Shimla to the lower districts is BLOCKED near Heeranagar. Over 800 HRTC bus routes remain suspended.
LIVE STATUS TRACKER (Jan 24, 2026)
| Route | Current Status | Advisory/Reason |
| NH-44 (Jammu-Srinagar) | 🔴 CLOSED | Snow at Navyug Tunnel; Stones at Ramban. |
| Mughal Road | 🔴 CLOSED | Heavy snow at Peer Ki Gali. |
| Srinagar-Leh (Zojila) | ⛔ FROZEN | Official Winter Closure. |
| Shimla-Kalka (NH-5) | 🟡 CAUTION | Main road open; Internal city roads CLOSED. |
| Manali-Atal Tunnel | 🔴 BLOCKED | Movement suspended at Palchan/Solang. |
| Srinagar Flights | 🟡 DISRUPTED | Delays/Cancellations due to visibility. |
FAQ Section
A: It depends on the weather. If the snow stops tonight and the Border Roads Organization (BRO) can clear the debris, one-way traffic might be allowed. Check the morning update before leaving.
A: No. The main highway is blocked near Heeranagar, and slippery conditions prevail inside the city. It is best to delay travel until the road is cleared.
A: Operations are severely hit. Contact your airline for real-time rescheduling before heading to the airport.
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AUTHORSHIP & TRANSPARENCY
- Reported by: KittoNews Desk
- Edited by: Senior Desk
- Source Transparency: “Traffic updates sourced from J&K Traffic Police Control Room, HP State Emergency Operation Centre, and Airport Authority of India (Jan 24).”
- Community Question: “Are you currently stranded on the highway or at the airport? Share your location in the comments to help fellow travelers.”
- Accountability Footer: “Found an error? Email kittonews@gmail.com.”
