Jammu & Kashmir rains claim 11 lives, including 7 on Vaishno Devi route.
Jammu Floods: Indian Army Leads Massive Rescue Efforts, Vaishno Devi Yatra Halted
Torrential rain lashed Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, unleashing floods and landslides that killed at least ten people. A major landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi route in Reasi, leaving seven pilgrims dead and 14 others injured. Officials fear more victims are still trapped under debris.
The Jammu and Kashmir government quickly ordered all schools and offices to shut down, except for essential services. Roads, highways, and bridges have collapsed under the pressure of continuous rain.
The Meteorological Department has warned of extremely heavy rainfall in the next 40 hours. Meanwhile, rivers like the Tawi, Chenab, and Basantar are already at the alert mark. Authorities have urged residents to stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone zones.
The landslide struck around 3 p.m. near Adhkwari, halfway along the 12-km trek from Katra to the shrine. Stones and boulders tumbled down suddenly, catching pilgrims off guard. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and began evacuating people.
The Indian Army launched massive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. Multiple rescue columns and helicopters are evacuating stranded civilians, students, and even security personnel.
Earlier, three people lost their lives in Jammu as rainwater submerged low-lying areas. More than two dozen houses and bridges collapsed. Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda highways remains suspended. Dozens of smaller roads are blocked by flash floods or landslides.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the situation “serious.” He confirmed that he will travel from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor relief measures.
The pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine stands suspended until conditions improve. Authorities remain on high alert, as both rainfall and river levels continue to rise.
The Indian Army has launched large-scale rescue and relief operations in rain-hit Jammu, deploying multiple columns and helicopters to evacuate stranded civilians, students, and even security personnel. The ongoing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission aims to provide immediate evacuation, medical aid, and essential support to people trapped in flood-affected areas.”
