Devastating Floods and Landslides Ravage J&K; Claim Over 40 Lives

Srinagar: Days of relentless heavy rainfall unleashed catastrophic flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir, claiming over 40 lives and causing widespread destruction.

A devastating landslide struck the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route in Reasi district on August 26, killing 34 Hindu pilgrims from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Relentless downpours triggered boulders and debris to cascade down mountainsides, stranding devotees and halting the pilgrimage to the revered cave-shrine tucked away in the Trikuta Hills.

Key highways, including Jammu-Srinagar and Jammu-Pathankot, were severed by landslides and overflowing rivers like the Tawi, Chenab, and Jhelum, which breached danger levels. Train services were disrupted, with 58 trains canceled and 64 others short-terminated or rerouted due to damaged tracks and bridges in the Jammu-Pathankot section.

On Thursday, Indian Railways operated two special trains to evacuate stranded passengers, particularly pilgrims and tourists, from Jammu Tawi. Train No. 04680, an unreserved special, departed at 4:30 PM for New Delhi, stopping at Kathua, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Ambala, and Panipat. Train No. 02238 left at 3:00 PM for Varanasi, following the regular route of Train No. 12238.

Northern Railways, in coordination with NGOs, provided food and lodging at stations like Manwal, Sangar, and Gaghwal to support affected passengers, the concerned officials said.

The floods ravaged Jammu, Doda, Ramban, and Reasi, destroying homes, roads, bridges, and infrastructure, and crippling communication networks. Most rivers and streams surpassed danger levels, prompting the closure of schools, offices, and educational institutions.

In Jammu Division, schools will remain shut until August 30 due to waterlogged premises, restricted access in low-lying areas, and risks of landslides in hilly regions. In the Kashmir Valley, educational institutions are set to reopen on Friday after a three-day closure, though several deaths were reported, with the exact toll still being verified.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, addressing the crisis, noted that two days of rain had created a flood-like situation, unlike the six days of rainfall that caused the 2014 floods. He described near-nonexistent communication, with slow internet and limited app functionality, reminiscent of the 2014 and 2019 crises.

Abdullah while speaking to reporters here on Thursday announced plans to review post-2014 flood measures, focusing on the carrying capacity of flood channels and the Jhelum River to prevent recurring threats. He noted that the situation had improved, with water levels receding and the immediate flood threat subsiding.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday at Raj Bhavan Jammu to oversee rescue and relief operations, restoration of essential services, and preparedness of central agencies, the Army, NDRF, and CAPFs to tackle the ongoing crisis caused by incessant rains and floods.