Jammu Floods and Landslides
Heavy monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Jammu region, triggering massive landslides and widespread flooding. The incessant rains have claimed several lives, left many seriously injured and disrupted daily life, prompting the administration to declare high alert and launch massive rescue and relief operations. Lt Governor Shri Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the tragedy and directed the authorities to provide prompt assistance to the affected people.
Vaishno Devi Yatra suspended after massive landslide
In a tragic incident, a massive landslide hit the pilgrimage route leading to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district. The landslide near Indraprastha Bhojanalaya at Ardhkumwari has resulted in casualties and injuries to several pilgrims. All traffic on the route has been suspended as rescue teams, including the Army and the civil administration, are working tirelessly to provide relief to the stranded and search for the missing.
Extensive damage to vital infrastructure
The incessant rains have wreaked havoc on the infrastructure of the region. In Jammu city, a portion of the fourth bridge over the Tawi river near Bhagwati Nagar collapsed, halting traffic on all three bridges in the city over the river. The crucial Jammu-Srinagar national highway is also inaccessible, with landslides blocking the road at over a dozen places near Ramban. All vehicular movement has been halted and movement of heavy vehicles has been banned on the Jammu-Pathankot highway.
Rail and air services have also been badly affected. Eighteen trains to and from Jammu, Udhampur and Katra have been cancelled and two flights from Jammu to Srinagar have been cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Rivers in spate, mass evacuation required
Several rivers in Jammu division, including the Tawi, Ravi, Ujj and Chenab, are flowing dangerously close to or above the flood mark. Low-lying areas have been inundated, forcing the evacuation of residents from areas such as Gujjarnagar, Gorakhnagar and Rajivnagar. In Kathua, 11 families have had to be relocated as the Ravi river is in spate. With more heavy rains forecast in the next 24 hours, authorities are on high alert.
In view of this crisis, all government and private schools, colleges and universities in the Jammu division have been closed. The High Court exams scheduled for August 28 have been postponed. A curfew has been imposed on non-essential movement after 9 pm and the public has been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers and landslide-prone area.