Katra, Jammu & Kashmir — August 27, 2025 — A massive landslide has caused considerable devastation along the popular Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route, close to Adhkwari. Officials reported a death toll of 31 and 23 more injuries, with many people feared trapped beneath the debris. The landslide happened at approximately 3 p.m., about halfway through the 12-km trek, turning a sacred pilgrimage route into a deadly scene.
Rescue Efforts Faced Difficulties as Rain Continues to Pour
Rescue operations are ongoing with teams from NDRF, CRPF, the local police, the Indian Army, and local Shrine Board authorities. Authorities had already enacted a suspension of the pilgrimage. Unfortunately, those rescue teams were impeded by heavy rain, flash floods, and widespread communications blackouts in the area, making the rescue operations much more difficult than necessary.
Infrastructure Damage Adds To The Chaotic Situation
The rain has gone beyond a singular catastrophic event; it has also plunged the region into a crisis. Jammu city received an incredible 368 mm of rain in a day, submerging roads, washing away bridges, and compromising rail and power infrastructure. Airlines and rail services have come to a complete standstill, and millions are still cut off due to unreliable and non-functional mobile and internet networks.
Crisis Resolution Complicated by Relief Operations
Authorities have not eliminated the risk of further torrential rain and are treating the situation as a “high-alert” category emergency. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has described the communication failure as one of the worst disasters in his memory, with communication failures and mobility disruptions impacting rescue efforts. Attempts are currently underway to restore communications and carry out evacuations, but the sheer scale of the disaster makes all efforts more complex.
Himachal Flood Fury Worsens Northern India’s Crisis
While Jammu & Kashmir battles the aftermath of the Vaishno Devi landslide, neighboring Himachal Pradesh is also facing devastating flash floods. Torrential rains have triggered landslides, washed away homes, and displaced hundreds of families, adding to the region’s mounting humanitarian crisis. Authorities warn that the combined impact of floods and landslides across northern India could delay relief and rescue operations even further.
