NEW DELHI: A landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine route in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Tuesday, officials said, according to news agency PTI.Sharing a post on X, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said, “A landslide incident has occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari, some injuries are feared. Rescue operations are underway along with required manpower and machinery.“The incident comes amid heavy rainfall lashing Jammu and Kashmir for the third consecutive day.All trains from Katra have been cancelled due to the landslide incident near the Vaishno Devi shrine, PTI reported.
Monsoon causes widespread disruption
The Jammu region has been experiencing intense monsoon showers, leading to swollen rivers, frequent landslides, and severe disruption of life in low-lying and hilly areas.Traffic along the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was suspended after landslides and shooting stones were reported at Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma in Ramban district. Vehicular movement was also halted at Udhampur and Qazigund.Several other roads, including Padder road in Kishtwar and the Ramnagar-Udhampur and Jangalwar-Thathri routes, were damaged or blocked due to flash floods and landslides.A bridge over the Sahar Khad river in Kathua was damaged after the river swelled, disrupting traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway, a key arterial route.
Cloudburst in Doda triggers flash floods
Earlier in the day, a massive cloudburst in Doda district of J&K triggered flash floods, bringing normal life to a halt and forcing the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar highway, according to TV reports. The heavy rainfall also set off landslides at several locations, worsening the situation further.
Rivers cross danger levels
The relentless rainfall has pushed rivers and streams above or close to their danger marks. The Modhopur barrage in Kathua has crossed the one lakh cusec mark, leading to flooding in low-lying areas along the Ravi river. The Tawi river in Udhampur rose above the 20-foot danger level, while the Chenab river swelled to 899.3 meters, nearing its warning threshold.Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh confirmed that three people have lost their lives due to the rains. He added that around 15 residential houses, a cow shed, and a private health centre were damaged in the downpour.
Weather department issues advisory
The Meteorological Department (MET) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in parts of Jammu and moderate to heavy showers in South Kashmir until August 27. The advisory highlighted risks of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones in hilly terrain, along with waterlogging in low-lying areas. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious and avoid rivers, streams, and landslide-prone slopes.Jammu Divisional Commissioner issues district-wise helpline numbers amid a forecast of moderate to heavy rainfall over the next 40 hours.
District wise helpline numbers
The water levels of the Basantar, Tawi, and Chenab rivers are at alert level. Residents and visitors are advised to stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone areas. The official handle of the Divisional Commissioner Jammu posted: “For emergencies, please contact the following numbers:
- Jammu: 0191-2571616
- Samba: 01923-241004, 01923-246915
- Kathua: 01922-238796
- Poonch: 01965-220888
- Rajouri: 01962-295895
- Udhampur: 01992-272727, 01992-272728
- Reasi: 9419839557
- Ramban: 01998-295500, 01998-266790
- Doda: 9596776203
- Kishtwar: 9484217492
