Jammu and Kashmir: Relentless monsoon showers continued to batter Jammu and Kashmir for the third day on Tuesday, triggering flash floods, landslides and widespread disruption. Officials confirmed that at least nine people were killed in separate incidents across Doda and Reasi districts. In Doda, a cloudburst caused flash floods, damaging more than 15 houses and cutting off local roads.
Several rivers, including the Tawi and Chenab, have risen dangerously. The Tawi in Udhampur crossed the 20-foot danger mark, while the Chenab swelled close to warning levels. In Kathua, the Modhopur barrage breached the one lakh cusec mark, flooding low-lying areas along the Ravi river.
5 pilgrims killed, Vaishno Devi yatra suspended after landslide
The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage in Reasi’s Katra was suspended after a massive landslide struck the Adhkuwari stretch of the 12-km route to the shrine. Five devotees were killed and 14 others injured in the incident near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya. Rescue operations, involving the Army, NDRF and Shrine Board staff, are underway.
Earlier in the day, the yatra had been halted on the Himkoti route due to heavy rainfall, but continued on the old route until the landslide forced a complete suspension. Railways also cancelled nearly 10 trains from Katra.
Roads, schools and infrastructure hit
Traffic on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway has been suspended due to multiple landslides at Ramban, Chanderkote and Battery Cheshma. A bridge over the Sahar Khad river in Kathua collapsed, disrupting traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. Several key local roads in Kishtwar and Udhampur have also been blocked.
All schools in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Samba and neighbouring Punjab districts such as Jalandhar and Amritsar have been ordered closed as a precautionary measure.
“Situation serious”: CM Abdullah holds emergency review meeting
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired an emergency review meeting and described the situation as “serious”. He announced that he would fly to Jammu to personally monitor relief operations. Additional funds have been sanctioned for deputy commissioners to support restoration efforts.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert across Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar, warning of heavy rainfall, cloudbursts and landslides until 27 August.
District-wise emergency helplines
The Divisional Commissioner’s office has issued helpline numbers for residents:
- 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
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, avoid riverbanks and landslide-prone slopes, and contact local helplines in emergencies.