Vaishno Devi Landslide: 17 NDRF Teams Deployed as Rescue, Relief Operations Continue

A major landslide struck the pilgrimage route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on Tuesday, leaving at least 30 pilgrims dead and 14 others injured, according to officials. In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed 17 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to lead large-scale rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

The landslide occurred near Adhkwari, a critical point on the pilgrimage route. Rescue teams rushed to the site to evacuate stranded pilgrims, and the Yatra has been suspended until further notice. The NDRF is working in coordination with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and other central agencies. A total of 32 special boats were airlifted to aid rescue operations, especially in flood-affected areas.

The Home Ministry control room is monitoring the situation round the clock. Expressing grief and solidarity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha offered condolences to the bereaved families and directed all agencies to ensure swift assistance to those affected.

In a separate but related incident, twin cloudbursts triggered flash floods in the Margi area of Warwan Valley in Kishtwar district, washing away at least 10 houses, over 300 kanals of crops, livestock, and a bridge. Reports indicate that around 60 houses were flooded, forcing families to take shelter under tarpaulin tents on nearby hillocks. Phone and internet connectivity remain down in the remote Warwan and Marwah valleys, making communication and coordination of rescue efforts difficult.

The Warwan valley, home to nearly 40,000 people across 50 villages, remains cut off from the Kishtwar district headquarters. Locals have called for immediate relief measures and restoration of essential services.

Meanwhile, authorities have declared a flood alert in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Jhelum River breached the danger mark at Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar early Wednesday. Rising water levels in rivers across the Jammu division prompted the closure of all schools, colleges, universities, coaching institutes, and non-essential government offices in the Jammu district, as per an official order.

Communication services, particularly BSNL’s fibre and landline networks, were disrupted in several areas, compounding the difficulties faced by residents as mobile phones showed no signal.

Relief operations are ongoing, and authorities have assured that every effort is being made to rescue those stranded and restore normalcy as soon as possible.