Landslide on Vaishno Devi route, 4 dead in Jammu due to heavy rain

Heavy rainfall has battered Jammu division for the third consecutive day, leaving four people dead in Doda district and triggering widespread damage. Officials confirmed the deaths of Asiya Ban, Noor Muhammad, Rahila Bano and Rubina Begum in incidents reported from Gandoh, Thathri and Bhaderwah since Monday evening. Around 18 houses and several bridges were damaged in the downpour. Doda deputy commissioner Harvinder Singh said, “There is no cloudburst but heavy rains have triggered flash floods.”

A landslide struck the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari in Reasi district, injuring devotees. The yatra to the shrine atop Trikuta hills was suspended as a precautionary measure. Rescue teams are clearing debris at the site, and authorities have deployed personnel to monitor further risks along the route.

Transportation has been severely hit across the region. Traffic was suspended on the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda national highways, while dozens of interior hilly roads have been blocked by landslides and flash floods. A bridge at Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu collapsed under heavy rainfall. Reports of damage to public and private infrastructure have also been received from Kishtwar, Reasi, Rajouri, Ramban and Poonch districts.

Educational and recruitment activities were affected. All schools in Jammu division will remain closed till August 27, and Class 10 and 11 board exams have been postponed. The Border Security Force suspended its ongoing constable recruitment drive at Paloura Camp in Jammu, rescheduling the test for September 3. Authorities have issued district-wise helpline numbers for emergencies and appealed to residents to move away from flooded areas.

Rivers and tributaries across the region have crossed danger levels. The Madhopur barrage recorded over one lakh cusecs of water, flooding parts of Kathua district. Rising levels were also reported in Ujh, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, Basantar, Tawi and Chenab rivers. Kathua received the highest rainfall at 155.6 mm in 24 hours, followed by Bhaderwah with 99.8 mm, Jammu with 81.5 mm and Katra with 68.8 mm. The meteorological department has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall with possible cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides in multiple districts till August 27.

9 dead in Vaishno Devi landslide as per latest reports.