Officials confirmed that the accident took place following continuous heavy rainfall that had lashed the region for three days. (Photo: PTI)
At least five people died and 14 others were injured after a landslide hit the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday afternoon. The incident happened near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari, about halfway on the 12-km trek to the hilltop shrine.
Officials confirmed that the accident took place following continuous heavy rainfall that had lashed the region for three days.
In a post on X, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board wrote, "A landslide incident has occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari, and some injuries are feared. Rescue operations are underway along with required manpower and machinery."
The yatra on the Himkoti route had already been stopped in the morning due to the heavy rain. But pilgrims were still using the old route until 1.30 pm when the landslide struck. After that, authorities suspended the yatra completely until further orders.
ALSO READ: Vaishno Devi Yatra Halted Due to Heavy Rainfall in Jammu
The Railway Department also cancelled nearly 10 trains from Katra as a precautionary measure.
The Jammu region has been under the grip of intense monsoon showers. Rivers are swollen, and landslides have blocked key roads and highways.
The 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed after landslides and shooting stones hit areas like Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma in Ramban district. Vehicle movement also stopped at Udhampur and Qazigund.
Other smaller roads, including the Padder road in Kishtwar, Ramnagar-Udhampur, and Jangalwar-Thathri, have been damaged or blocked by flash floods.
A bridge over the Sahar Khad river in Kathua was damaged after water overflowed, causing disruption on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway — one of the most important routes in the region.
Earlier in the day, a cloudburst in Doda district triggered flash floods, forcing the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar highway and bringing life to a standstill. Reports said several landslides hit the region, adding to the crisis.
With the continuous downpour, rivers across Jammu and Kashmir are flowing above or near danger marks.
In Kathua, the Modhopur barrage crossed one lakh cusecs, leading to flooding in low-lying areas along the Ravi river.
ALSO READ: Delhi Sees Heavy Downpour, IMD Issues Red Alert
In Udhampur, the Tawi river rose above the 20-foot danger mark.
The Chenab River reached 899.3 meters, close to its warning level.
Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh said that three people have died in separate rain-related incidents. Around 15 houses, a cow shed, and a private health centre were also damaged.
The Meteorological Department (MET) has warned of more heavy rain until August 27. South Kashmir is expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall, while Jammu may face very heavy showers.
The advisory also warned of risks such as cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Authorities have asked people to avoid rivers, streams, and landslide-prone slopes.
The Divisional Commissioner of Jammu has released district-wise helpline numbers for residents. Officials have urged people to remain alert over the next 40 hours as more rain is expected.
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
This latest incident adds to a series of tragedies in Jammu and Kashmir this month. On August 17, seven people died and 11 were injured in a cloudburst in Kathua. On August 14, another cloudburst during the Machail Mata Yatra in Kishtwar led to flash floods that killed at least 55 people.
MUST READ: Punjab Flood Crisis: Ravi River Breach Sparks Flood Emergency, School Closures
