8 dead, scores injured as landslides hit Mata Vaishno Devi route, Doda in Jammu Kashmir

August 26, 2025 by News Desk

Representational Image

Heavy rain caused a landslide on the way to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine on Trikuta hill this afternoon, killing at least five people and injuring fourteen, officials said. In Doda, at least three people have died in Gandoh Bhalessa as continuous rainfall over the past three days has caused widespread damage, particularly in the Chenab river region.

In Doda, cloudbursts at two locations triggered flash floods that swept away portions of National Highway 244, said officials. Traffic on the 250-km Jammu–Srinagar national highway was stopped after landslides and loose stones were reported from Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma in Ramban district.

Vehicle movement was also blocked at Udhampur in Jammu and at Qazigund in Kashmir as heavy rain continued along the route.

Rescue operations are in progress near the Mata Vasishno Devi route at Inderprastha Bhojnalaya, Adhkwari, where the landslide occurred around 3 pm, said officials.

The incident took place roughly midway along the 12-km uphill route to the shrine. The pilgrimage on the Himkoti track had already been suspended earlier in the day, while movement on the old route continued until 1:30 pm, when authorities ordered its closure in view of the heavy rainfall.

Continuous downpours over the past three days have caused extensive damage across several parts of Jammu. Experts have noted that increased human activity, including road construction and hill-cutting, is altering the mountainous regions of Jammu Kashmir. Earlier this month, on August 14, 63 people died due to a landslide at Chashosti Kishtwar, highlighting the increase in the frequency of disasters related to climate change.

For any emergency, here is a district-specific helpline as shared by the District Administration Control Room :

Jammu – 0191-2571616, Samba – 01923-241004, 01923-246915, Kathua – 01922-238796, Poonch – 01965-2200888, Rajouri – 01962-295895, Udhampur – 01992-2727227, 01992-272728, Reasi – 9419839557, Ramban – 01998-295500, 01998-266790, Doda – 9596776203, Kishtwar – 9484217492.