LG Sinha expresses grief over deaths in landslide near Vaishno Devi

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives after heavy rains triggered a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, leaving five people dead and 10 others injured.

In a post on X, the Office of the Lt Governor wrote, “Deeply distressed to know that an unfortunate landslide triggered by incessant rain claimed the lives of devotees at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. My condolences to the bereaved families & I pray that the injured recover quickly. Directed officials to provide immediate assistance.”

Deeply distressed to know that an unfortunate landslide triggered by incessant rain claimed lives of devotees at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. My condolences to the bereaved families & I pray that the injured recover quickly. Directed officials to provide immediate assistance.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) August 26, 2025

Sinha also said that officials are closely monitoring the situation across the Jammu division, where incessant rainfall has caused widespread disruption. “Emergency responders and district authorities have been mobilised on a war footing in all districts. Urging everyone to stay safe, follow advisories and take all essential precautions,” the statement added.

According to officials, the landslide occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari cave temple on the route to the shrine. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies and the injured to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Katra.

“Five bodies have been brought to CHC Katra. Ten to eleven people are reportedly injured. Rescue operation is underway. We will share further information as it comes,” Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Katra Piyush Dhotra said.

Meanwhile, the landslide and continuous rains also disrupted railway services in the region. Eighteen trains were cancelled following suspension of traffic on the down line between Pathankot Cantt and Kandrori due to soil erosion and flash floods in the Chakki river. Train movement was also suspended between Jammu Tawi and Katra, and between Jammu Tawi and Bari Brahman on the down line section, officials said. Four trains were short-terminated and short-originated.

The Meteorological Department has issued a weather advisory, warning of “intense to very heavy rain at scattered places and extremely heavy rain at isolated places” in the Jammu division, along with moderate to heavy rainfall in south Kashmir.