Katra, Jammu and Kashmir – August 29, 2025 – In the wake of the devastating #VaishnoDeviLandslide that struck the sacred pilgrimage route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, the local administration has ramped up relief efforts to ensure the safe evacuation of thousands of stranded devotees. Over 200 buses have been deployed to facilitate their return journey, as heavy monsoon rains continue to disrupt normal operations and pose ongoing threats of flash floods and further landslides in the region.The catastrophic #VaishnoDeviLandslide occurred on August 26 near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, approximately halfway along the 12-km trek from Katra base camp to the hilltop shrine in the Trikuta hills. Triggered by an unprecedented cloudburst following days of relentless rainfall, the incident claimed at least 34 lives, predominantly pilgrims caught unawares as massive boulders, rocks, and debris cascaded down the mountainside around 3 p.m.
Officials report that 18 others were injured, with rescue teams recovering bodies from under mounds of rubble amid fears that more individuals could still be trapped.The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) immediately suspended the #VaishnoDevi Yatra indefinitely as a precautionary measure, citing severe weather warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD had issued a red alert for Jammu division, forecasting very heavy rainfall over 40 hours, leading to swollen rivers like the Tawi, Chenab, and Jhelum reaching danger levels. The pilgrimage on the more vulnerable Himkoti route had already been halted earlier that morning, but the old track remained open until noon when a specific advisory prompted full suspension. However, the sudden cloudburst—a force majeure event unprecedented in this stable stretch—proved unforeseeable despite all precautions.
ARTO Reasi Neeraj Sharma emphasized the administration’s commitment to pilgrim welfare, stating, “Transport, food, and shelter are being provided with continuous coordination until the Yatra resumes.” Relief operations involve multi-agency coordination, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) with 17 teams, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army, CRPF, and local volunteers. Over 32 special boats have been airlifted to aid in flood-prone areas, while the Home Ministry’s control room monitors the situation round-the-clock.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the tragedy, posting on X: “The loss of lives due to a landslide on the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.
May the injured recover at the earliest. The administration is assisting all those affected. My prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being.” Union Home Minister Amit Shah also coordinated with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, deploying NDRF teams and terming the incident “extremely tragic.”Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in Katra to enquire about the injured devotees and confirmed ex gratia payments: Rs 9 lakh to families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh as per shrine board policy. He clarified that the yatra was suspended prior to the cloudburst, refuting claims of disregarding weather advisories.Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voiced sorrow and raised concerns about preventive measures, questioning why pilgrims were not stopped earlier despite advance warnings: “When we knew about the weather, should we not have taken certain steps to save those lives? The weather warning had come to us a few days ago.”
The SMVDSB defended its actions, noting that conditions were clear until 10 a.m. and all decisions prioritized safety.The broader #Reasi crisis has exacerbated regional woes, with flash floods submerging low-lying areas, damaging bridges like one over the Tawi River, and blocking key highways including Jammu-Srinagar and Katra-Reasi. At least 18 trains to Katra were cancelled due to track disruptions from soil erosion and floods in the Chakki River. Educational institutions and non-essential offices remain closed across Jammu division, with night movement restricted. Telecom outages from fiber cuts have compounded challenges, though services are gradually restoring.As of August 29, with some let-up in rains, relief efforts are intensifying. The administration urges pilgrims to postpone visits and avoid riverbanks.
Jammu and Kashmir continues to grapple with the #VaishnoDeviLandslide aftermath, highlighting the need for enhanced disaster preparedness in this spiritually significant region that attracts millions annually. The Yatra resumption will depend on weather stabilization and route clearance, with authorities promising comprehensive support for affected families.
