Key Points
- Massive landslide near Inderprastha Bhojanalaya kills 30 devotees, injures over 22.
- Yatra has been suspended temporarily; Army, NDRF and SDRF leading rescue ops.
- Cloudburst in Doda and heavy rains in other districts worsen the crisis.
- Red alert issued in 10 districts, IMD predicts more heavy rain in coming days.
- Administration appeals to devotees to postpone travel till weather improves.
Katra: A tragic landslide near the famous Inderprastha Bhojanalaya on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route in Reasi has claimed the lives of at least 30 devotees and left more than 22 injured. The incident occurred at around 3 PM on Tuesday, when torrential rains triggered a massive landslide, burying several yatris under debris.
According to Reasi SSP Paramveer Singh, the sudden collapse of mud and rocks left dozens trapped. The local administration immediately suspended the Yatra and deployed security forces to manage the situation.
Army & NDRF in Relief Mission
The Indian Army, along with teams of NDRF, SDRF and local administration, launched a large-scale rescue operation on a war footing. Heavy machinery and special equipment are being used to clear debris and rescue survivors.
An Army spokesperson confirmed, “Our soldiers reached the site within minutes. Injured devotees have been shifted to nearby hospitals in Reasi and Jammu for urgent treatment.”
Helipads have been kept ready for emergency evacuations, while police and CRPF are assisting in cordoning off the affected area.
Rain Fury Continues in Jammu Region
This tragedy comes amid widespread devastation across Jammu division due to heavy monsoon rains. In a separate incident, a cloudburst in Doda district killed 4 people. Meanwhile, 9 devotees lost their lives in Katra, near the Yatra route itself.
So far, the death toll across rain-related incidents in Jammu region has risen to 30 confirmed fatalities, with more than two dozen injured.
Red Alert in 10 Districts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the next 48 hours in multiple districts including Anantnag, Kishtwar, Doda, Kathua, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Jammu and Samba.
With continuous rainfall predicted, authorities warned against unnecessary movement in hilly terrains prone to landslides and flooding.
Yatra Temporarily Suspended
Thousands of devotees who were en route to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine from Katra have now been halted. Officials said the pilgrimage will remain postponed until weather conditions improve.
The administration has appealed to devotees: “We request the pilgrims to cooperate and avoid any non-essential travel. Safety is the priority.”
Current Status (Latest Update)
- Rescue ops still underway; death toll may rise.
- Hospitals in Reasi and Jammu on high alert.
- Pilgrim shelters in Katra being used to house stranded devotees.
- Weather forecast indicates possibility of more landslides in coming days.
The Vaishno Devi Yatra has been heavily disrupted due to a deadly landslide in Reasi, marking one of the worst weather-related tragedies in the region this monsoon. With more rains on the way, devotees have been urged to stay back and avoid travel until clearance from the administration.
