33 Dead in Relentless J&K Rains; Jhelum Floods, Landslide Halts Vaishno Devi Yatra

J&K Rains Trigger Floods and Landslides; 33 Dead, Vaishno Devi Yatra Disrupted.

At least 33 people were killed and 23 injured after a massive landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra track near Ardhkumari in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday. Rescue operations are ongoing amid fears that more pilgrims may be trapped under debris.

Relentless downpours across Jammu and Kashmir have triggered flash floods, landslides, and severe infrastructure damage. Bridges have collapsed, power lines and telecom towers have been snapped, and large parts of the Union Territory are facing communication blackouts. More than 3,500 residents have been evacuated so far.

Record Rainfall and Flood Alert
Jammu recorded its highest rainfall in years, with 22 cm falling within six hours on Tuesday. Rainfall eased slightly after midnight, but widespread flooding left dozens of localities submerged. Authorities have also issued a flood alert for the Jhelum River in South Kashmir, where water levels crossed the danger mark of 22 feet near Sangam.

Shrine Route Hit Twice
Earlier on Tuesday, another landslide on the Vaishno Devi shrine route killed nine people and injured 21 others, bringing the death toll from shrine-related landslides to over 40 in two days. Officials have warned that the number may rise as rescue teams continue search operations.

Relief and Rescue Efforts
Joint teams from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police, and local volunteers are carrying out evacuation and relief efforts. The Air Force has placed Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters on standby, while C-130 and IL-76 aircraft are ferrying relief materials from Hindon to Jammu.

Services Disrupted
Schools closed across Jammu division until August 27; exams for Classes 10 and 11 postponed.

Leh airport operations disrupted; several flights delayed or cancelled. Delhi airport issued advisories for Leh-bound passengers.

22 trains cancelled and 27 short-terminated across Jammu division due to track damage and soil erosion near the Chakki River. Train services on the Katra–Srinagar route remain operational.

Telecom outages have left millions without communication, with even senior leaders like Omar Abdullah reporting “almost non-existent connectivity.”

Weather Outlook
Weather experts said storm systems with cloud tops up to 12 km high are moving east-northeast, with more heavy rainfall expected in hill and foothill areas. Worst-hit regions include Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Akhnoor, Nagrota, and RS Pura, while lighter rain is being reported in Reasi, Ramban, Doda, and surrounding districts.