Death Toll Rises to 34 in Vaishno Devi Landslide Tragedy; Rescue Ops Continue Amid Communication Blackout and Flood Havoc in Jammu & Kashmir.
Jammu:
A devastating landslide triggered by record-breaking rainfall near the revered Vaishno Devi shrine has claimed the lives of 34 pilgrims and left 23 others injured, as rescue operations entered their second day on Wednesday. With fears of more individuals trapped under debris, rescue teams from the Army, CRPF, J&K Police, and Vaishno Devi Shrine Board personnel continue to dig through the rubble at the site of the tragedy.
The incident occurred on Tuesday near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari, roughly halfway on the 12-km pilgrimage route from Katra to the Bhawan, the cave shrine dedicated to Goddess Vaishno Devi.
Four Victims from Punjab Among the Deceased
Authorities confirmed that 32 bodies were recovered from the site, while two injured pilgrims succumbed at the hospital. Of the deceased, four were from Punjab — identified as Raj, Ramsharan, Krishna, and Manpreet. Another victim, Ram Pal, hailed from Haryana, while the rest were from Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and other parts of the country.
Pilgrimage Suspended, Katra Deserted
The yatra (pilgrimage) has been suspended for a second consecutive day. Initially halted on the Himkoti trek route Tuesday morning, the suspension was extended to the main route later that afternoon due to safety concerns. The Katra base camp, usually bustling with devotees, remained largely deserted as landslides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway blocked vehicular movement from Jammu.
PM Modi, LG Manoj Sinha Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), said,
“The loss of lives due to a landslide on the route to the 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.”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the injured at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in Katra, where all 23 injured are receiving treatment. He praised emergency workers and assured that the best medical care is being provided.
“I met devotees injured in the landslide. I urged doctors to ensure best possible treatment. My gratitude to emergency responders, SMVDSB employees and citizens whose intervention saved many lives,” Sinha said.
He also briefed PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah about the ongoing situation and confirmed that rescue and relief efforts are underway in various districts.
Relief Announced for Victims’ Families
The administration announced an ex gratia compensation of Rs 9 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased pilgrim — Rs 5 lakh from the Shrine Board and an additional Rs 4 lakh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Rail Traffic Hit; 58 Trains Cancelled
The deluge has disrupted not just roadways but also rail operations. The Northern Railways cancelled 58 trains to and from Jammu and Katra, while 64 others were short-terminated or short-originated at alternate stations. Train movement resumed briefly on Wednesday morning, only to be halted again due to flash floods and soil erosion near the Chakki river.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed condolences.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed condolences and said
“Very sorry to hear about the deaths of the pilgrims on the Mata Vaishno Devi track. I send my condolences to the families of the deceased. May their souls rest in peace.”
He confirmed speaking to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and PM Modi regarding the ongoing crisis, especially in Jammu province, and shared frustrations over lack of communication.
“Still struggling with almost nonexistent communication. Jio mobile gives a trickle of data, but there’s no fixed line WiFi, no browsing, no apps. WhatsApp barely works. Haven’t felt this disconnected since 2014 and 2019.”
Communication Breakdown in Jammu
Widespread communication failures have made it difficult for residents, emergency services, and even political leaders to coordinate. Data access is patchy, and mobile apps barely function, raising concerns about effective disaster management in such a sensitive zone.
Current Situation Summary:
- Death Toll: 34 (including 4 from Punjab, 1 from Haryana)
- Injured: 23 (undergoing treatment in Katra)
- Pilgrimage Status: Suspended on all routes
- Train Services: 58 cancelled, 64 short-terminated/originated
- Relief Announced: Rs 9 lakh per deceased victim’s family
- Key Locations Affected: Ardhkuwari, Inderprastha Bhojnalaya, Katra, Tawi River Banks
- Rescue Units Involved: Army, CRPF, Shrine Board, J&K Police
The situation remains tense and uncertain, with rescue teams racing against time, infrastructure strained, and questions rising over disaster preparedness in the region.
