In the past, the Srinagar Leh highway was either closed due to heavy snowfall or due to landslides caused by melting snow. This year however, for the first time in at least a decade, Srinagar Leh Highway Closed down due to flooding and landslides caused by incessant rains in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. At least 90 people have already lost their lives in the region and the death toll is expected to increase in coming few days.
Even the road from Jammu to Srinagar is reported to have remained closed for the second day due to landslides and more than 1000 vehicles were stranded on the highway. The city of Srinagar was under water for a third day in a row with several families still trapped. Over 7000 army personnel have been deployed in rescue operations. Even the pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi has been suspended for now.
srinagar leh highway closed
Considering the 2011 cloud burst in Ladakh; and the heavy amount of rain the state is experiencing this year; it is advised that you postpone your trip to Ladakh until the weather is reported safe to travel. However if you must travel as planned, please exclude Srinagar Leh highway from your itinerary. Take the road from Manali to Leh and return via same route. There are several stretches between Srinagar and Sonamarg that have been completely washed away. Road from Sonamarg to Kargil, especially near Zoji La top is in a very bad condition and not safe for travel. The Kargil to Leh stretch is not yet affected.
Srinagar Leh Highway Closed
I hope the information above was of help. If you have recently returned from Ladakh or Srinagar; or have any other information that can be of help to others; then please do share it at our Community Forum; or in the comments section below. I will update as the situation changes but as of now ; I will not advise anyone to travel to Ladakh via Kashmir valley.
