Pilgrims killed, schools closed, trains cancelled: How Jammu struggles under its heaviest rains in decades

Jammu: The Jammu region has been battered by its heaviest rainfall in decades, triggering landslides, flash floods and widespread damage to infrastructure. Rivers have overflowed, bridges and roads have collapsed, and residential areas have been inundated, forcing large numbers of people to move to safety. Among the worst-hit areas was Katra, where a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine claimed lives and left many injured. 

Nadda, Shah express grief

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda described the loss of lives in the landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra as “extremely heartbreaking.”

In a post on X, Nadda wrote, “The news of several people being killed in a landslide caused by heavy rains on the Vaishno Devi Yatra route in Jammu and Kashmir is extremely heartbreaking.”

He said the local administration, NDRF teams and BJP workers were engaged in relief and rescue work. “The local administration, NDRF teams, and BJP workers are wholeheartedly engaged in relief and rescue operations. In this hour of grief, my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the incident “extremely tragic.” He said he had spoken to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, assuring full support from the Centre. Shah added that NDRF teams had been rushed to the scene.

Officials confirmed that at least five people were killed and 10 others injured in the Katra landslide.

Railway disruption and stranded passengers

The pantry of the Swaraj Express (12472) prepared food for passengers stranded at Jammu’s Tawi Railway Station, according to Indian Railways. Railway staff and railway police also served food at Udhampur’s Manwal Railway Station, where incessant rainfall had left passengers stuck.

The Northern Railways announced cancellation of 22 trains halting at or departing from Jammu and Katra railway stations, and short-terminated 27 trains in the division. Nine cancelled trains were from Katra, the base camp of the shrine, and one from Jammu. The rest were scheduled for Katra, Jammu and Udhampur.

“Twenty-seven trains have been short-terminated on Tuesday. This has been done in view of the prevailing weather conditions in the region,” said the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Northern Railway, Jammu Division.

Train services were also suspended from Pathankot to Kandrori in Himachal Pradesh due to soil erosion and flash floods at the Chakki River. The short-terminated trains included those at Firozpur, Manda, Chak Rakhwalan, and Pathankot. Services, however, continued on the Katra-Srinagar stretch.

Pilgrims recount narrow escapes

Earlier reports confirmed that 13 people, including nine pilgrims, were killed in the landslide on the Vaishno Devi route, while 21 were injured. The toll was expected to rise as several were feared trapped.

Kiran, a pilgrim from Mohali, said, “I was coming down the hill after performing darshan when people started shouting. I saw stones falling down. I rushed to safety but was injured.” Another traumatised girl added, “We were a group of five out of which three are injured.”

Several injured were shifted to Narayana Hospital in Katra. Relatives gathered at the hospital and the Vaishno Devi base camp seeking news of missing loved ones.

Wider impact across Jammu and Kashmir

Flash floods and landslides also blocked the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda highways. Telecom services collapsed in large parts of the Union Territory after optical fibre damage, cutting millions from communication and hampering relief work.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired an emergency meeting, placing district administrations on high alert and ordering funds for emergency restoration. Essentials such as food, water and medicine were prioritised.

The deluge forced major rivers including Taranah, Ujh, Tawi and Chenab above danger marks. Authorities urged residents to move to safer areas, while schools in the Jammu division were closed until August 27. Examinations for Classes 10 and 11 were suspended, and recruitment for constables in security forces was halted for the day.

The Meteorological Department predicted sustained moderate to heavy rain with chances of cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides up to August 27.

(With agency inputs)