Jammu and Kashmir is reeling under one of its worst rain disasters in decades, with torrential downpours unleashing landslides, flash floods, and widespread destruction across the Union Territory. At least 34 pilgrims lost their lives after a massive landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra track near Ardhkumari in Katra on August 27, forcing a suspension of the holy pilgrimage and triggering a large-scale rescue mission.

The tragedy has deepened an already dire situation, as rain-lashed districts struggle with collapsed bridges, snapped power lines, and paralysed communication networks. Authorities fear the death toll could rise further, with several still believed to be trapped under debris.

Rainfall records shattered

The intensity of the deluge broke decades-old records. Jammu recorded 296 mm of rain in just 24 hours, surpassing its previous all-time high of 272.6 mm set in 1973. Udhampur fared even worse, with 629.4 mm of rainfall, nearly double its previous record from 2019. The cloudbursts triggered multiple landslides, including another on Tuesday that killed nine and injured 21 near the shrine route.

Jhelum crosses danger mark, evacuation in full swing

The Jhelum River has risen beyond the 22-foot danger level near Sangam, prompting flood alerts across South Kashmir. Over 3,500 residents have already been evacuated, with joint teams of the Army, NDRF, SDRF, police, and local volunteers working round-the-clock to move families from inundated villages.

Officials said 20–30 localities in Jammu and Samba districts are submerged, while distress calls continue to pour into control centres. IAF aircraft including C-130s and IL-76s have been mobilised to carry in relief material, with Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters on standby at bases in Jammu, Srinagar, Udhampur, and Pathankot.

Communication blackout, transport crippled

Telecom services collapsed across large swathes of the Union Territory, leaving millions cut off. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was struggling with “non-existent communication,” noting even fixed-line internet and WiFi had broken down.

Transport was equally hit. 22 trains were cancelled and 27 short-terminated, while flight operations at Leh were suspended before partial resumption at Jammu Airport by afternoon. Earlier, several airlines had issued advisories warning passengers of delays.

Schools shut, exams suspended

With heavy rain forecast to persist, all schools in Jammu division have been ordered shut till August 28. The J&K Board of School Education suspended Class 10 and 11 exams scheduled for August 28.

Relief, compensation announced

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired high-level meetings to assess the crisis and directed officials to prioritise restoring power, communication, and water supply in affected regions. He visited injured pilgrims at the Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Hospital and announced compensation of ₹5 lakh from the Shrine Board and ₹4 lakh from the Disaster Management Board for families of the deceased.

As thunderclouds loom and rivers swell, the people of Jammu and Kashmir remain on edge—grappling with devastation, uncertain of what further havoc the skies may unleash.