Jammu has been battered by a historic downpour, recording a staggering 380 mm of rainfall in a single 24-hour period. This unprecedented figure, the highest since the observatory was established in 1910, is nearly equivalent to the region’s entire monthly average for August (403.1 mm). The relentless rain has not only broken a century-old record but has also triggered widespread devastation across the region, necessitating the deployment of the Indian Army for rescue operations.
The worst of the destruction has been felt in the mountainous terrain, where a massive landslide struck the pilgrimage route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Reasi district on Tuesday. According to officials, the landslide occurred around 3 p.m. near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari, catching pilgrims off guard as stones and boulders came hurtling down the mountainside.
The tragic incident has resulted in a significant loss of life, with the death toll rising to at least 32 as of Wednesday. Additionally, at least 20 people have been reported injured. The pilgrimage to the sacred shrine was immediately suspended following the disaster. While the Himkoti trek route had already been closed earlier in the day due to the heavy rainfall, the old route was shut down as a safety precaution shortly before the landslide.
As rain continues to pound the region for the fourth consecutive day, thousands of people have been evacuated from low-lying areas. The Indian Army has launched extensive humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, using rescue columns and helicopters to evacuate stranded civilians, students, and security personnel. The deluge has also led to flooding in neighboring parts of Punjab.
The continuous rainfall has caused multiple landslides and road closures, leaving many people stranded and severely disrupting daily life in Doda, one of the worst-hit districts. The authorities remain on high alert as they continue to monitor the situation and work to restore normalcy amidst the ongoing monsoon fury.