Jammu floods, landslides claim 34 lives; over 3,500 evacuated

Rivers overflow, bridges collapse, and thousands are evacuated; connectivity is crippled, schools are shut and rescue teams are on high alert

Jammu: Torrential rains have triggered floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir, leaving at least 34 people dead and crippling essential services, officials said on Wednesday. More rainfall has been forecast for the coming days.

A deadly landslide on Tuesday near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra killed at least 32 people, NDTV reported. The incident occurred midway along the 12-km trek route around 3 pm, forcing authorities to suspend the pilgrimage indefinitely. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi termed the loss of lives “saddening” and said the administration was assisting all those affected.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Jammu recorded 368 mm of rainfall on Tuesday, among the heaviest in recent years. Rivers including the Tawi, Chenab, Jhelum and Basantar have overflowed, flooding several low-lying areas. In Doda, three people died in flash floods, while a cloudburst in Kishtwar washed away 10 houses and a bridge. In Kathua district, more than a dozen paramilitary personnel were feared trapped in Lakhanpur village, though efforts are on to rescue them.

Over 3,500 residents in Jammu have been evacuated so far, according to officials. The Jhelum river in Kashmir has crossed the danger mark at Sangam in Anantnag and is rising in Srinagar, prompting flood advisories. Several bridges, houses and shops across the Union Territory have been damaged.

GoI Minister Jitendra Singh said restoring electricity, water supply and mobile connectivity—“almost non-existent” in many parts—remains the top priority. He confirmed severe damage to the Madhopur bridge, where television footage showed vehicles collapsing with the structure.

In neighbouring Punjab, villages in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala and Tarn Taran are inundated as the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers flow above danger marks. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered schools shut till August 30 and cancelled all government staff leave.

Himachal Pradesh has reported 12 flash floods, two landslides and a cloudburst since Monday. At least two people have died. Pakistan’s Punjab province is also facing a flood threat after India released excess dam water, displacing more than 150,000 people, officials said.