Vaishno Devi Shrine Route Landslide: 5 Dead, Yatra Suspended, Trains Cancelled
A landslide on the Vaishno Devi shrine route killed 5 and injured 14 in J&K’s Reasi district. Yatra suspended, 18 trains cancelled. Floods and landslides continue across Jammu & Kashmir.
Landslide on Vaishno Devi shrine route suspends yatra; heavy rains trigger flash floods and train cancellations across Jammu & Kashmir.
At least five people were killed and 14 injured after a massive landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine route in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Tuesday. The incident, triggered by heavy monsoon rains, occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari on the 12-km trek to the hilltop shrine, forcing authorities to suspend the yatra and launch large-scale rescue operations.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board confirmed the incident on social media, stating that rescue teams with machinery were pressed into action immediately.
🔴 Key Developments from Jammu & Kashmir
1. Yatra Suspended, Train Services Hit
The pilgrimage on the Himkoti route was suspended earlier in the day due to rains.
After the landslide at Adhkwari, the entire yatra was halted till further notice.
Nearly 18 trains to and from Katra have been cancelled, disrupting pilgrim movement.
Flash floods in the Chakki River damaged tracks between Pathankot Cantt and Kandrori, further impacting rail traffic.
2. Cloudburst in Doda Triggers Flash Floods
A cloudburst in Doda district caused flash floods, bringing life to a standstill.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was closed due to landslides at Ramban, Udhampur, and Qazigund.
Several interior roads, including the Ramnagar–Udhampur and Jangalwar–Thathri routes, were damaged.
3. Widespread Monsoon Disruption
Heavy rains have battered Jammu for three consecutive days.
Landslides and swollen rivers have cut off large parts of the region.
A bridge over the Sahar Khad river in Kathua was washed away, blocking traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot Highway.
4. Rising River Levels
Ravi River: Flooding in low-lying Kathua after Modhopur barrage crossed the 1 lakh cusec mark.
Tawi River (Udhampur): Rose above the 20-foot danger level.
Chenab River: Swelled to 899.3 meters, nearing the danger threshold.
Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh confirmed three deaths due to the rains and reported damage to 15 houses, a cowshed, and a private health centre.
5. MET Advisory & Helplines
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in Jammu and moderate to heavy showers in South Kashmir until August 27.
Risks include cloudbursts, flash floods, mudslides, and shooting stones in hilly terrain.
Authorities urged residents to stay away from riverbanks and vulnerable slopes.
The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, issued district-wise emergency helplines:
Helpline Numbers
Jammu: 0191-2571616
Samba: 01923-241004 / 246915
Kathua: 01922-238796
Poonch: 01965-220888
Rajouri: 01962-295895
Udhampur: 01992-272727 / 272728
Reasi: 9419839557
Ramban: 01998-295500 / 266790
Doda: 9596776203
Kishtwar: 9484217492
Recent Cloudburst Tragedies in J&K
Aug 17: Seven killed and 11 injured in a Kathua cloudburst, which caused flooding and infrastructure damage.
Aug 14: During the Machail Mata Yatra in Kishtwar, a cloudburst-triggered flood claimed at least 55 lives.
