Last Updated on August 27, 2025 4:19 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has left 32 people dead, while four other were killed in Jammu’s Doda district in separate rain-related incidents.
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Relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, after a massive landslide struck the route to the Vaishno Devi Shrine, claiming several lives. The incident, triggered by heavy rainfall, was confirmed by Reasi SSP Paramvir Singh, who said multiple casualties and injuries had been reported.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing a swift recovery for the injured. He assured that the administration is extending all necessary support to those affected and is personally monitoring the situation.
Swift response teams from the 6th Battalion of the CRPF rushed to the spot, evacuating the injured to the Community Health Centre in Katra. Security forces also assisted stranded pilgrims and provided emergency medical and logistical aid. Meanwhile, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said rescue efforts are being closely coordinated by the SDRF, NDRF, paramilitary forces, Army, and Air Force. He noted that while the water level of the Tawi river has receded, the Chenab river is still flowing near danger level.
Authorities have made the restoration of electricity, water supply, and mobile connectivity their top priority, with teams working through the night. Schools and colleges have been ordered closed, and residents have been urged to avoid non-essential travel.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also conveyed condolences and directed officials to provide immediate relief and compensation to the injured and families of the deceased.
Elsewhere in Jammu division, incessant rains have triggered multiple landslides between Banihal, Ramban, Udhampur, and Nagrota, disrupting traffic and endangering travellers. The historic Mughal Road, linking Rajouri and Poonch with Shopian in Kashmir, has also been shut due to landslides and mudslides at several points.
As weather conditions remain unstable, the focus remains on saving lives, restoring essential services, and ensuring the safety of pilgrims and residents in the affected areas.
CM Omar briefs PM Modi
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation arising from heavy rains and flooding in the Jammu region and expressed gratitude for his assurance of continued assistance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Relentless rains pounded large parts of Jammu province on Tuesday, causing havoc in the region that witnessed landslides, inundation of low-lying areas and the washing away of several roads and bridges.
“I have spoken to the Prime Minister just a while ago. I briefed him about the situation. I thank him for the deployment of NDRF teams. He has assured me that all support will be given by the central government to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah told reporters here.
Abdullah, who made a whirlwind visit to the flood-affected areas of Jammu, said on X that he briefed the prime minister about the situation in the worst-hit areas as he toured parts of Jammu, along the banks of the Tawi, that saw extensive damage yesterday. “I am grateful for his assurance of continued assistance to the people of J-K,” he said.
The chief minister said they were slightly relieved as the rain had stopped on Wednesday.
“As compared to yesterday, we have got slight relief today (Wednesday) with the fact that rains have stopped. Water is slowly receding in low-lying areas. The damage caused by floods is before you. This bridge has been damaged,” he said.
Abdullah referred to the damage caused to the fourth bridge on the river Tawi in Jammu city during the 2014 floods and said, “I was telling the Divisional Commissioner that in 2014, the bridge had suffered damage at the same spot.
“There is a danger on this side which we were unable to understand properly. Expert teams have to be put on the job to find out why there was damage on this side in 2014 and again today. We will have to take measures so that it does not recur.”
Focusing on the threat faced by the people living along the banks of rivers and flood channels, he said, “The houses along the river will always be in danger whenever heavy rains occur. We will have to do something about this. First, we will deal with the current situation, and later, we will look into that.”