At least five people have died and 14 others sustained injuries in a landslide near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari, on the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Around 12 to 15 pilgrims were present at the site when the incident occurred. Two bodies were initially recovered and taken to Katra hospital, while several critically injured persons were shifted for urgent medical treatment.
Rescue operations are underway with full manpower and machinery deployed. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is coordinating with emergency teams to manage the crisis. The Yatra has been temporarily suspended to ensure pilgrim safety.
The landslide was triggered by heavy overnight rainfall, which also led to multiple cloudbursts across the Jammu region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for several districts including Kathua, Samba, Doda, Jammu, Ramban, and Kishtwar, warning of more landslides and flash floods. A flood alert has also been sounded in vulnerable areas, with rivers including the Chenab flowing above danger levels.
In Doda district, three people lost their lives in flash floods—two in Gandhoh and one in the Thathri subdivision. Around 15 houses, several cowsheds, a private health centre, and three footbridges have also been damaged. Portions of NH 244 were washed away, disrupting connectivity in the region.
