During heavy rainfall in Jammu, a sudden landslide took place on the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route on Tuesday. The tragic event happened near Ardhkuwari, a spot where thousands flock daily seeking blessings. With a thunderous crash, debris and large stones fell from the mountain onto the track. This disaster claimed 13 lives, while several were injured.
The injured have been rushed to the hospital in Katra for treatment. Promptly, the Shrine Board and security forces initiated relief and rescue operations. Pilgrims present on the track are being moved to safer locations. Local administration, police, and teams from NDRF are on high alert at the site.
Images of the landslide reveal debris and rocks scattered across the track. Amid the rain, security personnel were seen guiding devotees using ropes and barricades. Meanwhile, floodwaters have entered areas of Sunjwan in Jammu city.
For the safety of pilgrims, the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage has been temporarily suspended. The route from Ardhkuwari to Bhawan is closed. Pilgrim movement on the lower track is also limited. Pilgrims en route are being accommodated at safe locations. Mobile and internet services are down in several areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Due to adverse weather conditions, the recruitment process for constable posts by various security forces was deferred. The administration has ordered all government and private schools in the Jammu division to remain closed till August 27. The Jammu & Kashmir Board of School Education has announced the postponement of the Class 10 and 11 exams scheduled for Wednesday. The BSF informed that the constable (GD) recruitment exam at the Paloura Camp in Jammu has been postponed due to bad weather, with candidates now called on September 3.
The cloudburst in Doda caused over 10 houses to be destroyed, leading to panic among residents. Consequently, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is temporarily halted. Stones falling from hills in Ramban district at Chandrakot, Kelamode, and Battery Chasma prompted the suspension of traffic on the 250-km-long Jammu-Srinagar national highway as a precautionary measure. Vehicle movement on the only perennial highway connecting the country has been stalled at Udhampur in Jammu and Qazigund in Kashmir. Army continues to rescue people from Gadi Garh area.
Forecasts indicate moderate to heavy rainfall is likely in many places across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar districts until August 27, with potential for cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides in elevated regions.
Continuous heavy rainfall has been occurring in Jammu division and Kashmir for the past 48 hours. The weather department has issued a red alert for heavy rain in Jammu & Kashmir over the next five hours. The threat of landslides and flash floods looms over Katra, Jammu, Samba, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar districts, with incidents of cloudbursts reported at Liddar (Pahalgam).
In Udhampur, the water level of Tawi River has risen significantly above the danger mark, surpassing even the 2014 flood levels. Authorities warn that the water could rise by another 7–10 feet in Jammu city in the next few hours.
Jammu’s DIG Shiv Kumar Sharma reported an issued flood alert across Jammu division. Residents are advised to avoid going near rivers and streams and stay connected with the administration.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has decided to travel from Srinagar to Jammu considering the severity of the situation. He has instructed all district commissioners to provide additional funds and expedite relief operations.
