At least 41 people have died in rain-related incidents after two days of heavy downpour battered several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The worst tragedy occurred on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route, where a massive landslide claimed most of the lives.

Record Rain Brings Widespread Damage

Unprecedented rainfall has triggered landslides and flash floods, leaving behind massive destruction. Several bridges collapsed, mobile towers fell, and electricity poles were uprooted. Dozens of major roads also got blocked or damaged, cutting off crucial links.

Some Relief After Days of Downpour

By Wednesday, the intensity of the rainfall reduced, allowing rescue operations to speed up. Water levels in many swollen rivers across Jammu began to recede after 11 am. However, the Jhelum river in Anantnag and Srinagar crossed the flood alert mark, with water spilling into several residential areas.

Landslide on Vaishno Devi Route

The death toll from the landslide in Reasi district rose to 34 on Wednesday. Rescuers recovered more bodies from under the debris, while at least 20 people were injured. The landslide struck near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari, halfway along the 12-km trek from Katra to the shrine. Rescue teams are still clearing the rubble in search of survivors. The pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi shrine has been suspended for the second straight day.

Prime Minister’s Condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Vaishno Devi landslide. He said that the loss of lives in the landslide on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple route was saddening. He expressed his thoughts with the bereaved families and wished for the quick recovery of the injured. He added that the administration was assisting all those affected and prayed for everyone’s safety and well-being.

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…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2025

Leaders Respond to the Disaster

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah rushed from Srinagar to Jammu to review the situation once the rain eased. He also briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the crisis. Abdullah announced Rs 6 lakh compensation for families of those killed in the landslide and other flood-related incidents in the past two days. Severely injured victims will get Rs 1 lakh, while those with minor injuries will receive Rs 50,000.

Travel and Schools Hit

Northern Railways cancelled 58 trains to and from Jammu and Katra. Another 64 trains were either cut short or diverted to other stations. Although six trains resumed services on Wednesday, traffic was halted again due to flash floods and soil erosion in the Chakki river area.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Sakina Itoo announced the closure of all schools across the Union Territory on Thursday because of the heavy downpour. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting at the Raj Bhavan. He reviewed ongoing rescue work, restoration of services, and coordination with central agencies.

Deaths in Other Districts

Other parts of Jammu province also reported tragedies. In Doda district, four people lost their lives on Tuesday. Three drowned after slipping into a fast-flowing river, while one person died when a house collapsed.

Heaviest Rain in Decades

Officials described the rainfall as the heaviest in decades. Since Monday night, floods and landslides have caused widespread damage to bridges, roads, homes, and farmlands. Many families were forced to leave their homes and move to safer places. Jammu city recorded over 380 mm of rainfall in less than 38 hours, making it one of the worst rain spells in recent history.