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Punjab is on high alert due to overflowing rivers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir led to severe flooding across several districts
Restoration work underway after a landslide struck the old track to the Vaishno Devi shrine; (right) rescue operation underway following a flood threat due to incessant rainfall, in Jammu and Kashmir on August 26. (Image: PTI)
Rain wreaked havoc in the Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday leading to 11 deaths, including seven pilgrims struck by a landslide on the Vaishno Devi route.
Torrential rain and landslides disrupted travel, leaving tourists stranded as the authorities imposed restrictions on movement of people during the night as a precautionary measure.
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The situation was alarming in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh as continuous rainfall led to swollen rivers, damaged roads and disrupted connectivity along the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH-3), a portion of which was washed away by the Beas river flowing in spate.
In Punjab, meanwhile, overflowing rivers in Himachal Pradesh and J&K led to severe flooding across several districts while triggering a high alert in the state.
The devastation in the Jammu region comes days after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst struck Kishtwar district’s Chisoti, the last motorable village en route the Machail Mata temple, on August 14, killing 65 people, mostly pilgrims, and leaving more than 100 injured. Several people are still missing.
Here’s all you need to know:
- The pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi shrine was suspended after at least seven people were killed when the mountainside literally gave way around 3 pm. Police said 21 people were injured and the toll could go up.
- Officials said several were feared trapped as rescuers scrambled to pull out those buried under the debris near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari. The landslide struck at a point about halfway along the winding 12-km trek from Katra town to the hilltop shrine. Jammu’s defence PRO said three relief columns of the Indian Army were swiftly mobilised in rescue and relief operations in and around Katra.
- In other rain-related incidents across the Jammu province, at least four people were reported killed in Doda district. Three of them slipped and fell into the river, drowning in the swift flowing waters, while one died in a house collapse. Hundreds of people were evacuated from low-lying areas in the region.
- Communication, including telecom services, collapsed in large parts of J&K, as traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda national highways was suspended. At least 18 trains were cancelled, stranding tourists in the Katra railway station.
- There were reports of severe infrastructure damage from the high-altitude areas of Kishtwar, Reasi, Rajouri, Ramban, and Poonch districts. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah termed the situation serious and presided over an emergency meeting while ordering the district administration to be on high alert. He asked the administration to provide essentials such as food, water, and medicine to affected families.
- Nearly all water bodies in the area are overflowing and above the danger mark. The overflowing Modhopur barrage on the Ravi river in Kathua crossed the one lakh cusec mark, resulting in heavy flooding in the district. Major rivers such as Taranah, Ujh, Tawi, and Chenab have also overflowed their danger marks.
- According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kathua district recorded 155.6 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am followed by Bhaderwah in Doda (99.8 mm), Jammu (81.5 mm), and Katra (68.8mm). The administration issued advisories asking people to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone areas. The weather department held out little relief, predicting sustained moderate to heavy rain with chances of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides up to August 27. Authorities issued advisories for citizens to avoid water bodies and places with the risk of landslides.
- All government and private schools in the Jammu division were directed to close till August 27. The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education also suspended all examinations for Classes 10 and 11 that were to be held on Wednesday (August 27).
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
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