Rain mayhem in Jammu region: 13 dead, including 9 in landslide on Vaishno Devi route

Srinagar: Rivers overflowed, the raging waters flattening everything in their way, and boulders, trees and rocks hurtled down slopes across the Jammu region on Tuesday, killing at least 13 people, including nine pilgrims struck by a landslide on the Vaishno Devi route.

At least four people were killed in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir after a cloudburst triggered flash floods and damaged several houses, even as authorities sounded fresh alert for extreme weather across the Union Territory.

“There has been considerable damage to residential structures and other property in several areas. The district administration is on high alert, and rescue and relief operations are underway,” an official spokesperson said. Hundreds of people were evacuated from low-lying areas.

Traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda national highways was suspended, and dozens of hill roads were blocked or damaged by landslides or flash floods, they said. Many trains to and from Jammu were cancelled, the officials added.

The winding route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hill was a picture of devastation. At least nine people were killed when the mountainside gave way around 3 pm.

The toll could go up, with several people feared trapped, officials said.

Three relief columns of the army were mobilised in rescue and relief operations in and around Katra.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting on flood preparedness. He directed every department to remain in full readiness.

All government and private schools in the Jammu division were directed to close till August 27.

(With PTI inputs)