Rains wreak havoc in Jammu, 3 dead; landslide hits Mata Vaishno Devi route

Torrential rains in Jammu have turned deadly claiming the lives of three individuals and inflicting widespread damage across the region reported the PTIThe deluge has pushed almost all water bodies past the danger mark inundating lowlying areas and roads authorities statedThree persons two in Gandoh and one in Thathri were killed in separate rain related incidents while 15 houses and four bridges were damaged the officials saidChief Minister Omar Abdullah described the situation in many districts as ldquoquite seriousrdquo and announced he would take the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to oversee rescue operations personallyAbdullah has also directed the release of emergency funds to district administrators to aid restoration work and other urgent needsMeanwhile A landslide hit the route to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday leading to some injuries officials said according to the PTIRescue operations are underway near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari where the landslide hit they saidThe landslide was triggered by heavy rains across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir for the third day on TuesdayMoreover reports of damage to public and private infrastructure were also received from high altitude areas of Kishtwar Reasi Rajouri Ramban and Poonch districts the officials said adding the real picture will emerge only after an assessment of the ground situationThe situation is many parts of Jammu province is quite serious Ill be taking the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor the developing situation In the mean time instructions have been issued to place additional funds at the disposal of the DCs Deputy Commissioners to cover emergency restoration work and other exigencies CM Abdullah wrote in a post on XThe situation is many parts of Jammu province is quite serious Irsquoll be taking the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor the developing situation In the mean time instructions have been issued to place additional funds at the disposal of the DCs tohellip httpstcovOfGXAEb8emdash Omar Abdullah OmarAbdullah August 26 2025The officials said that the overflowing Modhopur barrage has crossed one lakh cusec mark and is continuously rising triggering heavy flooding in several lowlying areas along the Ravi river in Kathua districtThey said that the water levels in the Taranah River Ujh River Maggar Khad Sahar Khad and their tributaries in Kathua Basenter in Samba Tawi and Chenab in Jammu are simultaneously rising and have already crossed the danger markPolice and civil officials were seen repeatedly making announcements to the people to stay away from flooded rivers and shift to safer placesThe authorities have also issued districtwise helpline numbers and asked people to contact the numbers in case of any emergency for prompt actionDistrict wise Helpline numbersFor Emergency please contact the following numbers httpstcoan6QeFeZuE pictwittercomSVLiiq8CiBmdash Divisional Commissioner Jammu Divcomjammu August 26 2025According to meteorological department Kathua district recorded the highest 1556 mm of rainfall during the last 24 hours ending 830 am followed by Bhaderwah in Doda at 998 mm Jammu 815 mm and Katra 688mmAuthorities have already issued advisories asking people to stay away from water bodies and landslideprone areas amid the weather forecast predicting moderate to heavy rainfall at many places in Jammu Samba Kathua Reasi Udhampur Rajouri Ramban Doda and Kishtwar districts with possibility of cloudbursts flash floods and landslides in high altitude areas till August 27 the news agency reportedwith PTI inputs