Jammu & Kashmir: 32 People Killed in Vaishno Devi Landslide

A devastating landslide near the sacred Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu & Kashmir has claimed the lives of 32 people, with some reports suggesting the death toll may have risen to 34.

Triggered by incessant monsoon rains, the tragedy has halted the pilgrimage, severely disrupted infrastructure, and prompted widespread evacuations. 

Authorities have suspended the popular yatra (pilgrimage), especially after a cloudburst near Adhkuwari—approximately halfway along the 12 km trek from Katra—resulted in a deadly cascade of mud, boulders, and debris. 

The intensity of the rainfall is staggering. Jammu city recorded 380 mm of rain in just 24 hours, marking the highest single-day rainfall since records began in 1910, while Udhampur also saw shocking surges.  

Meanwhile, infrastructure across the region—bridges, highways, railway tracks, and telecom networks—has taken a heavy hit, weaving chaos through daily life and rescue operations. 

In response, the administration carried out extensive evacuation and rescue missions. Over 3,500 people were evacuated in the Jammu region, with the Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and local authorities coordinating efforts. 

To provide immediate relief, the J&K government announced ex-gratia payments: ₹6 lakh for families of the deceased, ₹1 lakh for those severely injured, and ₹50,000 for individuals with minor injuries. Additionally, ₹10 crore has been allocated to district collectors to sustain relief initiatives. 

Flash Flood Threat in Srinagar and the Valley

While the Jammu region grapples with landslide devastation, the Kashmir Valley faces its own peril: the Jhelum River in Srinagar approached danger levels, triggering flood alerts.

Authorities have ordered the closure of schools and colleges across the Valley, and irrigation and flood control teams remain on high alert to monitor rising water levels. 

This chain of disasters follows another flash-flood catastrophe in Kishtwar just weeks earlier, where a cloudburst in Chositi village claimed at least 67 lives, left 300 injured, and 200 missing. 

This unfolding disaster underscores the compounded risks of climate change, heavy monsoons, and vulnerable infrastructure. As rescue and preventive measures press on across Jammu and Kashmir, the coming days will be pivotal in averting further loss and restoring normalcy.