Jammu weather highlights: 13 dead, rescue ops on; all schools shut tomorrow

Jammu weather LIVE updates: Several rescue columns of the Indian Army were deployed across the region, with forces evacuating people from low-lying and at danger-areas.

Jammu weather highlights: At least 13 people lost their lives, four in Doda and nine on Vaishno Devi yatra route, as torrential downpour continued to pound Jammu for a third consecutive day on Tuesday. Several rivers, including Tawi and Chenab River, were flowing above or nearing the danger mark. Rain-triggered landslides and mudslides also resulted in the closure of many roads, including the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Meanwhile, a fourth bridge collapsed from the Bhagwati Nagar side.

Landslide on Vaishno Devi route

At least nine people were killed, and 21 others were injured after a landslide struck on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hill in Reasi's Katra.

The landslide hit at a point halfway along the 12-km trek to the hilltop shrine at around 3 pm. Officials said that rescue operations were underway near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari where the landslide hit. The yatra to the holy shrine was also suspended.

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah held a meeting to review the flood mitigation measures at Jammu and directed officials to maintain high alert and take all necessary measures.

In a post on X, Abdullah said, "The situation is many parts of Jammu province is quite serious. I’ll be taking the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor the developing situation."

The CM also instructed that additional funds be made available to the deputy commissioners to cover emergency restoration work and other exigencies.

The India Meteorological Department also issued a red alert for several districts of the Union Territory, including Poonch, Mirpur, Rajouri, Kulgam, Reasi, Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Ramban and Doda.

A helpline desk has been established for assistance and updates on the incident. The helpline numbers are: ‪+91 9906019460‬/ +91 9906019446‬

Rivers flowing above or near danger mark

Water levels in the Taranah River, Ujh River, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, Ravi River, and their tributaries in Kathua are all simultaneously rising and nearing the danger mark, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Tawi river in the Udhampur district crossed the 20-feet danger mark, while the downstream in Jammu is flowing above the alert level. Officials added that the Chenab is also flowing close to the warning level in Jammu.

Heavy rain alert, flood situation in Punjab

• As rivers overflow in Jammu and Kashmir due to the heavy rainfall, consequential situations also arose in Punjab.
• The Jalandhar district administration had declared a holiday on Tuesday amid predictions of heavy rainfall in the district. Hoshiarpur also shut down schools for two days from Tuesday onwards.
• Meanwhile, a holiday was also declared in the catchment areas of the Ravi and Beas rivers in Amritsar. The SBS Nagar district administration on Tuesday announced holiday in all schools due to heavy rain forecast.
• People living in the low-lying areas in Jalandhar's Kapurthala area were stranded in their homes for the past 10 days. However, amid the sudden increase in the Beas River's water level, they began moving to safer places upstream with the help of motorboats.
• An alarming flood situation is also emerging in the catchment areas of rivers in the Majha region due to heavy rain in hill stations and Punjab.
• Dhusi Bandh village at Ghaniye Ke in Dera Baba Nanak sub-division of Gurdaspur district was breached by flood water as Ravi River is in spate.