[ad_1]
Commuters wade through a waterlogged road following heavy rainfall, in Srinagar, on August 28, 2025.
Incessant rains over the past three days left a trail of destruction in Jammu and Kashmir, killing at least 41 people and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, officials said, even as water levels in major rivers began receding from Wednesday afternoon.
The dead include 35 pilgrims, who were killed in a landslide at the Vaishno Devi shrine; four people were swept away by flash floods in Doda, and two in Anantnag, said officials.
Most of the pilgrims’ bodies have been identified, and efforts are underway by the administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) to return them to their families.
The heavy downpour swelled key rivers including the Tawi, Ujh, Tarnah, Basantar, Chenab and Devak, causing breaches, washing away road links, and damaging communication lines and property. At least four bridges over the Tawi River were damaged, while large parts of Jammu city’s streets and thoroughfares were inundated.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed for the third consecutive day on Thursday due to landslides at multiple locations. Mobile and internet services went down across the region on Tuesday evening after optical fibre cables were damaged.
A senior official said services had been restored in most areas, with full connectivity expected shortly.
A meteorologist said weather conditions were expected to improve significantly over the next 24 hours, although light to moderate rains are forecast in Jammu division from late on the night of August 29 into August 30.
State meets postponed, schools shut
The Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, following directions from the Assembly Speaker, has postponed all committee meetings until September 5 due to the inclement weather.
Meanwhile, authorities announced the closure of schools across affected districts as a precautionary measure.
Published on August 28, 2025
[ad_2]
Source link
