New Delhi : At least 31 people were killed and 23 injured after a massive landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra track near Ardhkumari in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, amid heavy rain on Wednesday. Relentless downpours have wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir, triggering flash floods and landslides. In Jammu, critical infrastructure took a major hit, with bridges collapsing and power lines and mobile towers severely damaged.
More than 3,500 residents were evacuated till Tuesday after continuous heavy rain triggered flash floods and waterlogging across the district. Jammu witnessed its highest rainfall on Tuesday between 11.30 am and 5.30 pm, recording 22 cm within just six hours, according to official data. However, rainfall significantly subsided after midnight, bringing some relief. Earlier, on Tuesday, another landslide struck the shrine route in the afternoon, killing nine people and injuring 21 others.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a post on X said he is still struggling with almost non-existent communication as heavy rain has disrupted several services in the Union Territory. He added that there is no fixed line WiFi, no browsing” and apps are opening frustratingly slowly. More than 3,500 residents were evacuated till Tuesday after continuous heavy rains triggered flash floods and waterlogging across the district.
20 to 30 low-lying localities and several areas in Jammu and Samba have been inundated by flash floods triggered by heavy rain. The administration kept getting distress calls at its control centre seeking evacuation assistance. Infrastructure was severely damaged, with bridges collapsing and mobile towers and electricity poles breaking like virtual twigs.
Lighter rain is falling in Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Billawar, Katra, Ramnagar, Hiranagar, Gool, Banihal, and nearby parts of Samba and Kathua districts. All government and private schools in the Jammu division were directed to close till August 27. Operations at Leh airport were severely impacted today due to adverse weather conditions.
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