Jammu floods: Thousands rescued from low-lying areas, 22 trains cancelled, night travel banned

Jammu: More than 3,500 residents were evacuated to safety on Tuesday after torrential rains triggered flash floods and waterlogging in Jammu, officials said. The Jammu region has been experiencing its heaviest rainfall in decades since Monday, leading to flooding, landslides that have damaged bridges and roads, and inundated residential and agricultural areas.

The multi-agency rescue involved the district administration, police, NDRF, SDRF, Army and local volunteers. Relief camps have been set up across the city, with the Youth Hostel serving as a major shelter. Community kitchens at Muthi and Satwari are providing food, and medical teams are deployed at all major camps.

Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Minhas said priority was to move people from vulnerable pockets and ensure food, water and medical aid. Efforts are also on to restore power, water supply and road connectivity, with Tehsildar Nagrota overseeing debris clearance.

Jammu city has recorded more than 250 mm of rainfall in less than a day.

According to a PTI report, 20–30 localities in Jammu and Samba were inundated, including Peerkho, Gujjar Nagar, RS Pura, Nikki Tawi, Beli Charan, Gurkhanagar, Qasim Nagar, Rajiv Nagar, Akhnoor and Pargwal, besides areas near the swollen Tawi river.

Dozens of families, including Gujjars, were moved with their cattle after huts were washed away. The administration said distress calls continued to pour in as heavy rains battered the region for over 30 hours.

22 trains cancelled
The Northern Railways on Tuesday cancelled the next day's 22 trains halting at or departing from Jammu and Katra railway stations, and short-terminated 27 trains in the division.

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

Of the 22 cancelled, nine trains are from Katra, the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, and one from Jammu, officials said.

The remaining trains were scheduled to arrive at Katra, Jammu and Udhampur stations. Train services have also been suspended from Pathankot to Kandrori in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy soil erosion and flash floods at the Chakki River on Tuesday.

“Twenty-seven trains were short-terminated at Firozpur, Manda and Chak Rakhwalan, and Pathankot. Train operations, however, continue on the Katra-Srinagar stretch,” said officials.

 Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) on Tuesday asked intending pilgrims to replan their pilgrimage to the revered shrine atop the Trikuta hill in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir once the weather improves.

The request comes hours after a major landslide, triggered by incessant rains, hit the route leading to the shrine at Adhkuwari, resulting in death of seven people and injuries to 21 others.

"In view of recent incessant rain and inclement weather, all the yatris are hereby advised to replan their yatra to the shrine once the weather improves," the board said in a post on X.

Ban on night movement
The authorities have restricted the movement of people during night hours as a precautionary measure in view of the adverse weather conditions. District Magistrate, Jammu, Rakesh Minhas issued the order under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

He ordered the restriction on night movement by any individual from 8 pm on Tuesday to 8 am of Wednesday without any valid reasons or prior permission from the competent authority, except those involved with the essential services.