Vaishno Devi Yatra Route Landslide: 30 Dead, Many Injured Amid Heavy Rainfall In J&K

Relentless heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir, claiming at least 30 lives after a major landslide near the revered Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra. The region is grappling with widespread destruction, including flash floods, collapsed infrastructure, and severed communication links.

The calamity comes just days after a separate cloudburst on August 14 triggered flash floods in Kishtwar district's Chisoti, which killed 65 people, mostly pilgrims. In the latest incidents, officials reported at least four more fatalities in Doda district on Tuesday, with victims drowning in swollen rivers or perishing in structural collapses.

The incessant rains have paralyzed the region. The annual pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine has been suspended indefinitely. Critical infrastructure has borne the brunt of the fury, with bridges washing away and mobile towers and electricity poles snapping, leading to a complete telecom blackout in large areas that has cut off millions.

Transportation has been brought to a standstill. Traffic on the vital Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda national highways was suspended, and dozens of hill roads were blocked by landslides. Numerous train services to and from Jammu were cancelled.

With major rivers like the Tawi, Chenab, Ujh, and Taranah flowing menacingly above the danger mark, low-lying areas have been inundated. The Modhopur barrage on the Ravi river discharged over one lakh cusecs of water, causing severe flooding in Kathua district. Civil and police authorities have repeatedly appealed to residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate to safer ground.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the situation "serious" and presided over an emergency meeting. He has directed district administrators to remain on high alert and has authorized emergency funds for restoration work. "Instructions have been issued to place additional funds at the disposal of the DCs (Deputy Commissioners) to cover emergency restoration work and other exigencies," Abdullah stated on X.

The administration has been ordered to ensure the timely provision of essentials like food, water, and medicine to affected families, with relief efforts prioritized for the most vulnerable.

With the Meteorological Department forecasting sustained moderate to heavy rain with chances of further cloudbursts and landslides until August 27, authorities have issued advisories urging people to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone areas. As a precaution, all government and private schools in the Jammu division have been closed, and scheduled board examinations have been suspended.

The full scale of the disaster is yet to be determined, with officials noting that a clear picture will only emerge after a comprehensive assessment of the ground situation in the worst-hit districts.