Katra: At least 9 people have died, 5 alone on the Vaishno Devi route, after a landslide occurred near an eatery (dhaba), as the region has been experiencing
very heavy rainfall over the past couple of days, especially since Tuesday morning. As the region was already facing incessant rains, a cloudburst in the upper areas further added to the fury. The extreme weather event triggered flash floods in the Tawi River, which damaged several bridges. As multiple rain-related incidents added to residents' woes, the administration decided to temporarily suspend the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra and advised pilgrims to wait for further updates. The pilgrimage to the famed shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district was suspended when the mountainside literally gave way and stones, boulders and rocks came hurtling down around 3 pm, catching people unawares. Rescue operations are underway near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari, officials said. The landslide struck at a point about halfway along the winding 12-km trek from Katra to the hilltop shrine. There are two routes up to the shrine -- while the yatra had been suspended on the Himkoti trek route since morning, it was going on on the old route till 1.30 pm when authorities decided to suspend it till further orders in view of the torrential rain. "In an unfortunate incident of landslide at Adhkwari, 5 people have lost their lives and 14 others have been injured. Rescue operations underway," the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said in a post on X. As heavy rains continued to batter the region, several videos have surfaced showing the swollen Tawi River.
One of the videos showed a bridge over the Tawi river severely damaged after the flash flood. The footage showed multiple vehicles stuck as the bridge collapsed with a heavy water current flowing beneath.
Meanwhile, in a bit relief, Mukhtar Ahmad, In-charge Director of the Meteorological Department has predicted that the weather will remain remain clear in Jammu from tomorrow until August 30. However, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected after August 30.
During this period, there is no rain forecast for the Kashmir Valley until September 5, the weatherman further said.
Heavy rain continues to banter Jammu
Continuous rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir has led to a sharp rise in water levels of several rivers and streams, triggering flash floods in parts of Jammu region. The Meteorological Department (MET) has issued an advisory on the matter.
"Possibility of intense/heavy to very heavy Rain/thunder at scattered places & extremely heavy rain at isolated places of JMU Division and moderate to heavy rain in South KMR during August 26. Cloud burst, flash floods at few vulnerable places with landslides, mudslides, shooting stones etc."
The weather body further informed residents to stay away from water bodies, nallas, river embankments, loose structures etc and stay alert.
Also, all government and private schools in the Jammu division will remain closed on August 27 (Wednesday).
The Jammu region has been experiencing intense monsoon showers for the past few days, causing rivers to swell, triggering landslides, and disrupting normal life in low-lying and hilly areas.
Earlier, seven people lost their lives and 11 others were injured in a cloudburst that struck Kathua district in Jammu & Kashmir on August 17.
With inputs from agencies
