Rescue work underway post floods; 4 more bodies found

27 security personnel rescued after 10-hour-long operation by Army’s Aviation Corps

29/08/2025

JAMMU, Aug 28: A multiple agency operation has been underway in Jammu and Samba to rescue and rehabilitate the people whose properties were devastated in the floods.
Four more people were swept away in flash floods in the region on Thursday.
A record rainfall in the Jammu region in the past two days, has caused the deaths of 45 people, most of them in a landslide on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route.
On Wednesday, a let-up in showers allowed relief operations to pick pace.
"Operations to rescue and rehabilitate people, reconnect villages, and assess damages are underway across the region," an official said.
According to officials, four bodies were recovered from flooded water channels in Jammu.
One body was pulled out of the Tawi River in Nagrota on Wednesday evening. The victim had reportedly drowned at Chak Rakwala.
Another body of an elderly man was retrieved from a nallah in Marh.
A body was recovered from waters near the border fencing in the Karkhola area of R S Pura, while another was found in the Teli Basti area of Bari Brahmana.
Men and machinery have been hard at work in low-lying areas to clear debris, mud, and stranded vehicles. Dozens of roads remain blocked due to several landslides.
Reports suggest that connectivity to nearly 50 villages has been disrupted.
More than 12,000 people have been evacuated from flood-hit areas so far.
Water level in major rivers, such as Tawi, Chenab, Basantar, Ravi, and Ujh, has receded.
Extensive damage has been reported to public infrastructure, bridges, houses, and commercial establishments.
Northern Railways, which had cancelled 58 trains to and from Jammu and Katra on Wednesday, arranged special trains to ferry over 2,000 stranded passengers from Jammu.
The death toll from the Vaishno Devi landslide in Reasi district has risen to 34 after more bodies were retrieved from the debris.
Officials said 24 bodies have been identified, 14 of them are women.
At least 20 others injured in the incident are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.
The landslide struck near Indraprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari — around halfway on the 12-km trek from Katra to the shrine — around 3 pm on Tuesday.
In other rain-related incidents, four people died in Doda district on Tuesday.
The body of a BSF jawan was recovered from Pragwal, while another body was found in Akhnoor, but is yet to be identified.
In Lakhanpur, along the Punjab border, the body of an irrigation department employee was recovered.
On August 14, a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Chisoti — the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata shrine in Kishtwar district — leaving behind a trail of devastation.
At least 65 people, mostly pilgrims, were killed in those floods, over 100 were injured, and 32 remain missing.
The Government and private Schools across Jammu Division shall remain closed up to 30th August 2025 as per an order issued by The Director School Education Jammu.
An order issued today stated "In view of the continuous and heavy rainfall being experienced across various parts of Jammu Division, the region has witnessed multiple weather induced disruptions which have significantly impacted day-to-day life and the safe functioning of educational institutions.
Reports received from various districts have highlighted severe water logging and accumulation of mud in school premises, making them unfit for physical classes. The flooding in low-lying areas has restricted access to schools. Heightened risk of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones in hilly and mountainous regions, poses serious threats to the safety of students and staff. Damage to road infrastructure, including blocked and eroded roads has made travel unsafe.
Additionally, numerous representations and requests are being received from civil society members, parents and stakeholders across different districts, urging the administration to continue the closure of schools in the interest of student safety and security.
In light of the above circumstances, and keeping the safety and well-being of students, teachers and school staff as the highest priority, it is hereby ordered that all Government and private Schools across Jammu Division shall remain closed up to 30th August 2025.
The order further directs that 'Heads of Institutions (Hols) are advised to assess the feasibility of conducting online classes, especially for students of Classes 9 to 12, wherever suitable infrastructure and internet connectivity are available. It is reiterated that all Chief Education Officers (CEOs) and Hols, before resuming physical classes shall ensure strict compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures (Sops) for safe reopening of schools."
Parents and students have been requested to stay informed through official school communication channels for updates regarding the resumption of academic activities.
All School Authorities must ensure thorough cleaning, sanitation and safety inspections of school buildings and premises prior to reopening.
CEOs and HOIs shall consult the local administration before opening the Schools.
"The situation is being continuously monitored. Any further directions will be issued as per evolving weather and ground conditions. This order shall come into effect immediately and shall remain valid till 30th August 2025," the order added.
Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic for the third consecutive day on Thursday due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rains in the Udhampur-Ramban belt, officials said.
Due to the closure of the highway, over 500 to 600 vehicles are stranded at various places en route.
The 270-km-long stretch, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, was blocked by multiple landslides at several places between Jakheni and Chenani in Udhampur, they said.
"Highway is closed for vehicular movement from Jakheni in Udhampur towards Srinagar due to damage at several places between Jakheni and Chenani. No vehicular movement shall be allowed from Nagrota in Jammu towards Reasi, Chenani, Patnitop, Doda, Ramban, Banihal, Srinagar," a traffic police official said.
He said commuters belonging to Katra and Udhampur towns are requested to keep their photo ID cards to prove their identity so that their movement can be facilitated smoothly.
The men and machines of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are working to clear the highway of blockades, which occurred on Tuesday following heavy rains and flash floods, they said.
According to the traffic advisory, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag highway is closed for vehicular movement.
It said subject to fair weather and good road condition, and after getting a green signal from the BRO, traffic movement shall be allowed in a regulated manner on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road.
LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil between 1130 hours and 1730 hours.
"No vehicle shall be allowed after the cut-off timing. Security forces convoys plying from Srinagar to Kargil and vice versa shall plan their movement in such a manner so that civil traffic is not disturbed," the advisory said.
According to the advisory, movement of LMVs shall be allowed on Mughal Road between Shopian district of Kashmir and Poonch district of Jammu region, subject to fair weather and good road condition, after getting a green signal from road maintenance agencies.
"LMVs and private cars shall be allowed from both sides on Mughal Road, i.e., from Jammu towards Srinagar and vice versa via Poonch. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgala in Poonch and Herpora in Shopian between 0700 hours and 1800 hours," it said.
The Indian Army’s Aviation Corps rescued 27 security personnel trapped in heavy floods triggered by the Chenab River in the border belt of Jammu district on Thursday, officials said.
The operation was launched by White Knight Corps in the Jourian area of Akhnoor after a camp was inundated by rising floodwaters, they said.
Using helicopters, the Army airlifted the stranded personnel through 17 sorties over a span of 10 hours, despite adverse weather and challenging conditions, officials added.

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