Heavy downpour wreaks havoc in Jammu region, 30 killed in Vaishno Devi landslide

Jammu: Relentless rain in the Jammu region has caused widespread destruction and killed 34 people, including 30 pilgrims, due to landslides on the route to the shrine atop the Trikuta Hills. The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been suspended, and Himkoti route has also been closed.

The Meteorological Department has forecast ‘very heavy’ rainfall in the Jammu division over the next 40 hours, with water levels of the Basantar, Tawi, and Chenab Rivers currently at the alert mark. People have been strongly advised to stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone areas.

All government offices, except emergency services, will be closed tomorrow. Meanwhile, leave for government officials involved in rescue operations and flood protection has been cancelled in the affected districts.

Floodwaters have submerged several low-lying areas, with most rivers flowing above the danger mark. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the situation serious and has placed emergency funds at the disposal of Deputy Commissioners. A high-level meeting was held in Srinagar to review flood mitigation efforts, with instructions issued to maintain high alert and ensure swift response.

Water levels in major rivers like Tawi, Chenab, Neru, and Kalnai have surged. The Meteorological Department has predicted continued rainfall, heightening concerns of further inundation. Marmat and Tanta are among the worst-hit areas, where three footbridges and around 15 houses were swept away.

In a swift multi-agency operation led by the Jammu District Administration, more than 3,500 residents have been evacuated to safety following incessant rains that triggered flash floods and waterlogging across the city on Tuesday, an official said.

Teams from the district administration, police, NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, and local volunteers are undertaking evacuation and relief operations in the worst-hit areas while authorities are also focused on restoring critical infrastructure and essential services, he said.

He said the top priority has been to move residents from vulnerable pockets to safer locations while ensuring food, clean water, and medical care at temporary shelters. The district administration has established relief camps at multiple locations, with the Youth Hostel in Jammu serving as a major temporary shelter, he said.

Significant damage to residential structures has been reported. All government and private schools across the Jammu division remain closed for a second consecutive day. The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education has postponed Class 10 and 11 exams scheduled for tomorrow. In Jammu, traffic on key highways has been suspended.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and Jammu-Udhampur up-tube are shut due to landslides and waterlogging. Traffic has also been halted on the Katra-Shiv Khori road. Rescue operations are underway in multiple districts, while advisories have been issued warning of further landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods. SDRF and police teams deployed.

Authorities have issued helpline numbers and placed all departments on high alert. These are: Jammu- 01912571616 & 0191-2520542, Samba-01923241004, Kathua-01922238796, Doda- 95967762043, Kishtwar- 9484217492. These numbers are available on all official social media platforms. People are advised to contact these numbers for emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Northern Railway has cancelled 18 trains to and from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu railway stations as relentless heavy rain wreaked havoc in the Jammu region. According to the railway officials, eighteen trains have been cancelled. Four trains have been subjected to short terminations.

This has been done in view of the weather conditions prevailing in the region. The officials said of the trains cancelled, seven are from Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, two from Udhampur and one from Jammu. They added that trains to Katra and Udhampur have also been cancelled.

However, the movement of trains on the Katra-Srinagar stretch was continuing. The Jammu region has been experiencing its heaviest rainfall in decades since Monday night, which damaged bridges, disrupted road connectivity and inundated large tracts of land, forcing people to shift to safer areas.