Rain fury in Jammu: 10 dead, several feared trapped

Jammu/Srinagar: Torrential rains wreaked havoc across the Jammu region on Tuesday, triggering flash floods and landslides that killed at least 10 people, including six Vaishno Devi pilgrims who were crushed in a landslide on the shrine route.

Rivers breached danger marks, sweeping away bridges and roads, while boulders and uprooted trees rolled down mountain slopes, officials said. Telecom services collapsed in large parts of Jammu and Kashmir, leaving millions cut off as mobile towers and power poles crumbled.

The winding route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hill was a picture of devastation, reported PTI. Around 3 pm, a massive landslide struck near Adhkwari, halfway to the shrine, killing six and injuring 14. Several people are feared trapped. The yatra was suspended. Survivors described a hail of stones and falling trees as they scrambled to safety.

Army teams were mobilised in Katra and adjoining areas to assist civil agencies in rescue and relief. Elsewhere in Jammu province, four people died in separate rain-related incidents in Doda district.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the situation “serious” after chairing an emergency meeting. He ordered immediate release of funds to district administrations and directed supply of essentials to affected families.

Floodwaters inundated vast tracts as rivers Ravi, Tawi, Ujh and Chenab overflowed. Kathua district was worst hit, with the Modhopur barrage on Ravi crossing one lakh cusecs. Schools in Jammu division have been ordered shut till August 27 and board exams postponed.

The meteorological department warned of more heavy rain, cloudbursts, and landslides till Wednesday.

The latest disaster comes just 12 days after a cloudburst in Kishtwar killed 65 people, mostly pilgrims at Machail Mata, leaving the region reeling again.