Vaishno Devi landslide tragedy: 32 killed in Katra as rains ravage J&K; PM Modi offers condolences

The death toll in the Vaishno Devi landslide has climbed to 32, officials confirmed on Wednesday, a day after disaster struck the pilgrimage route to the hilltop shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. At least 20 others were injured in the incident, which was triggered by relentless rainfall.

The tragedy unfolded around 3 pm on Tuesday, when a section of the mountainside gave way. Stones, boulders, and debris came crashing down on unsuspecting devotees halfway along the 12-km trek from Katra to the shrine.

Authorities had already suspended the Himkoti trek route earlier on Tuesday due to heavy rainfall, but the old track remained open until 1.30 pm. It was finally closed for safety reasons as torrential rain continued to pound the region. The pilgrimage remains suspended until further orders.

IMD Warns of Severe Weather Across Jammu and Kashmir

On Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of widespread thunderstorm activity across Jammu and Kashmir. The agency reported heavy rain, thunderstorms, and possible hail in areas including Jammu, Samba, Nagrota, Kot Bhalwal, Vijaypur, Purmandal, Kathua, and Udhampur. Moderate rainfall was also recorded in Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Katra, Ramnagar, and Banihal.

PM Modi Condoles Loss of Lives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “The loss of lives due to a landslide on the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The administration is assisting all those affected. My prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being.”

Devotees Stranded, Train Services Hit

The landslide left many devotees stranded. With train services disrupted, several pilgrims expressed frustration and fear.

Rajkumari Devi, a devotee from Bihar, told ANI, “We had the Darshan two days ago. Now, we want to go home, but trains are cancelled. A huge mishap has occurred. We are scared and want to return.”

Another devotee from Champaran said, “We are trapped here due to the rain. Our tickets are booked, but trains are not running. We are facing difficulties reaching Bihar.”

Officials reported that 18 trains were cancelled after soil erosion and flash floods damaged the down line between Pathankot Cantt and Kandrori following the swelling of the Chakki river.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the severe communication challenges caused by the rains. Posting on X, he wrote, “Still struggling with almost nonexistent communication. There is a trickle of data on Jio mobile, but no fixed-line WiFi, almost no apps. Haven’t felt this disconnected since the terrible days of 2014 and 2019.”

On Tuesday, Abdullah said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, stressing the need to urgently restore connectivity. He also confirmed that the closure of Jammu airport had delayed his travel, though he hopes to reach the affected region on the first available flight.

Widespread Damage Across Jammu Region

The landslide is part of a broader weather crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. Continuous heavy rainfall has caused rivers and streams to swell, triggering flash floods, damaging infrastructure, and forcing night-time restrictions on movement due to flood risks.

In Kathua, a bridge over the Sahar Khad river was washed away after water levels rose dangerously, cutting off traffic along the vital Jammu-Pathankot Highway.

The Jammu region has faced repeated tragedies this monsoon. On 17 August, a cloudburst in Kathua killed seven people and injured 11 others. Just three days earlier, on 14 August, a devastating cloudburst during the Machail Mata Yatra in Kishtwar left at least 55 dead.

Chief Minister Abdullah, speaking about the Kishtwar incident earlier this month, said it was caused by a cloudburst rather than glacial lake flooding, and warned that the chances of finding survivors were slim.

With multiple disasters striking in quick succession, the Jammu region remains on high alert. Authorities continue to monitor rainfall and landslide risks, while rescue and relief operations are underway to assist affected pilgrims and residents.

Inputs from agencies