Landslide and Flash Floods Bring Tragedy to Vaishno Devi Yatra
Heavy rain triggered a landslide along the pilgrimage route to Mata Vaishno Devi, causing at least five deaths and injuring fourteen people. The pilgrimage has been suspended, and rescue operations are actively underway.
A sudden cloudburst in Charu Nallah of Doda district late Monday night triggered devastating flash floods, leaving a trail of destruction across several villages. The surging waters swept away houses, livestock, and key infrastructure, while the collapse of the Mughal Maidan bridge in nearby Kishtwar has severely disrupted connectivity. Early reports confirm the death of at least three people, though locals fear the toll may rise as rescue operations continue in the remote hilly terrain. Multiple landslides were also reported, blocking stretches of the vital Jammu–Srinagar National Highway, isolating several communities. The administration has issued advisories urging residents to stay away from riverbanks, while the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed to carry out rescue and relief.
