Landslide near Ardhkuwari wreaks havoc; rescue operations underway amid inclement weather
TNR News Network
SHIMLA: More than 30 devotees lost their lives and over two dozen were injured after a massive landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route near the Ardhkuwari area in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra. The disaster, triggered by relentless heavy rain, occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya on Tuesday afternoon, catching hundreds of devotees off guard.
The landslide, described by officials as the deadliest ever to hit the shrine path, left a trail of destruction on the Trikuta Hills, severely damaging the yatra track. The authorities fear the death toll may rise as several more are believed to be trapped under the debris. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, Army and local volunteers working round the clock.
Rain unleashes chaos across Jammu
The tragedy at the shrine is part of a wider crisis unfolding across Jammu and Kashmir due to unprecedented rainfall. Jammu recorded its heaviest downpour in years, with 22 cm of rainfall in just six hours on Tuesday. Flashfloods, swollen rivers and landslides have led to severe disruption in road, rail, and air connectivity.
Several bridges have collapsed, including parts of the Bhagwati Nagar bridge over Tawi river, and key highways such as the Jammu-Pathankot route remain completely cut off. The Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has urged pilgrims to reconsider travel plans until weather conditions stabilise.
Meanwhile, telecom services across the region have crumbled, leaving thousands of residents and stranded pilgrims with little to no communication. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that communication was “virtually non-existent” in several areas.
Statewide impact and relief operations
Beyond Katra, the impact has been catastrophic across Jammu and Kashmir. Three pilgrims drowned in a separate incident when a car was washed away in Chenani Nullah near Jammu. Over 3,500 people have been evacuated from flood-prone areas. Rivers like the Tawi, Chenab and Ujh are flowing above the danger mark, prompting the administration to issue a flood alert for the Jhelum as well.
The Indian Air Force has mobilised aircraft, including C-130s, IL-76s, Mi-17s and Chinooks, to aid rescue and supply efforts. Schools and colleges across Jammu division have been ordered shut and train services on multiple routes have been cancelled or curtailed due to track damage and flooding.
