Pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine suspended as extreme weather batters region
At least 10 people have died across Jammu and Kashmir in the past 24 hours as torrential rains triggered devastating landslides and flash floods throughout the region.
The deadliest incident occurred Tuesday afternoon on the pilgrimage route to the sacred Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district. A landslide struck near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari around 3 pm, killing six pilgrims and injuring 14 others. The tragedy unfolded approximately halfway along the 12-kilometer trek to the hilltop shrine atop the Trikuta hills.
Emergency response teams, including Army personnel, immediately launched rescue operations at the site. Military officials confirmed their forces were “swiftly mobilised for rescue and relief operations” with ongoing efforts to save lives and evacuate civilians to safety.
Pilgrimage Suspended, Red Alert Issued
Shrine authorities have indefinitely suspended the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage and urged devotees to postpone their journeys. The suspension affects both the main route and the alternative Himkoti trek, which had been halted earlier in the day. Night travel has been banned across Jammu district due to the severe weather conditions.
A red alert remains in effect for multiple districts including Anantnag, Kishtwar, Doda, Kathua, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Jammu, and Sabma as meteorologists predict continued heavy rainfall.
Additional Casualties in Doda District
Earlier Tuesday, four people lost their lives in a cloudburst in Doda district. The sudden deluge triggered flash floods that damaged more than 10 residential structures in the area.
Infrastructure Severely Impacted
Three days of relentless rainfall have crippled transportation networks across the region. The Northern Railway canceled 18 trains serving Katra, Udhampur, and Jammu stations. Communication systems have been disrupted due to damaged optical fiber cables at multiple locations.
Critical roadways including the Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar highways remain closed due to landslides and swollen rivers. The vital 250-kilometer Jammu-Srinagar National Highway—Kashmir’s only all-weather connection to the rest of India—has been shut down as a precautionary measure following landslides at Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma in Ramban district.
Rivers Breach Danger Levels
Water bodies across the region are flowing at or above critical thresholds, submerging low-lying areas and roadways. The Sheshnag Nallah in Pahalgam’s Betaab Valley has reached a record-breaking 6.02 feet, surpassing its previous high of 5.68 feet and well above the danger mark of 5.09 feet.
Officials warn that the Jhelum river could rise further by evening due to continuous precipitation. The dramatic surge in water levels suggests possible cloudbursts or exceptionally heavy rainfall in upstream areas.
Authorities have advised residents to avoid hill slopes and water bodies as the weather crisis continues to unfold across Jammu and Kashmir.
