At Least 31 Killed, Dozens Trapped After Landslide Hits Vaishno Devi Yatra Route Amid Heavy Rain in J&K.
At least 31 people have died and 23 others were injured after a massive landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra track near Ardhkumari in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday amid heavy rains. Rescue operations continue as authorities fear more individuals may still be trapped under the debris.
Relentless downpours have battered Jammu and Kashmir, triggering flash floods, landslides, and widespread damage to infrastructure. Bridges have collapsed, power lines and mobile towers are down, and several low-lying areas are inundated.
Key Highlights of the Rain Fury:
Jammu recorded its highest rainfall on Tuesday, with 22 cm falling within six hours between 11:30 am and 5:30 pm. Rainfall subsided after midnight, offering some relief.
An earlier landslide on Tuesday afternoon at the shrine route killed nine people and injured 21 others, leaving the Trikuta hill path severely damaged.
Over 3,500 residents have been evacuated across Jammu and Samba districts. Joint teams from the District Administration, J&K Police, NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, and local volunteers are aiding rescue and relief operations.
A flood alert was issued for the Jhelum River after water levels crossed the danger mark of 22 feet near Sangam.
Schools in the Jammu division remain closed till August 27, and exams for Classes 10 and 11 scheduled on Wednesday have been postponed.
Telecom services are down in large parts of the union territory, leaving millions without communication.
Worst-Affected Areas:
Jammu city, RS Pura, Samba, Akhnoor, Nagrota, Kot Bhalwal, Bishnah, Vijaypur, Purmandal, and parts of Kathua and Udhampur. Lighter rain continues in Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Billawar, Katra, Ramnagar, Hiranagar, Gool, Banihal, and nearby regions.
Authorities are focused on moving people from high-risk areas to safer locations while providing food, water, and medical aid at temporary shelters. Weather experts warn that active storm clouds, reaching up to 12 km, are moving east-northeast, and rain is expected to continue in hill and foothill areas.
Transport Disruptions:
Northern Railways has cancelled 22 trains scheduled to halt at or depart from Jammu and Katra stations and short-terminated 27 trains at Firozpur, Manda, Chak Rakhwalan, and Pathankot.
Train services between Pathankot and Kandrori (Himachal Pradesh) remain suspended due to soil erosion and flash floods near the Chakki River. Katra–Srinagar train operations continue.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors amid challenging conditions, as heavy rain and landslides keep the region on high alert.
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