Jammu and Kashmir: At least 30 people have lost their lives after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The incident occurred near Indraprastha Bhojanalaya at Ardhkuwari, en route to the holy cave shrine, following continuous rainfall and flash floods that have wreaked havoc across the region.

According to Reasi SSP Paramvir Singh, the death toll has climbed to 30, and several others have sustained injuries. Rescue operations are underway as teams work tirelessly to locate survivors and provide aid to the affected.

Heavy rainfall and flash floods have also caused widespread destruction in the Kashmir Valley, damaging infrastructure and disrupting connectivity. On Tuesday, a cloudburst in Jammu’s Doda district triggered flash floods, leading to casualties and significant property damage. A few days earlier, another cloudburst in Kishtwar’s Chisoti village, en route to the Machail Mata temple, resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, mostly among pilgrims.

The landslides have severely impacted rail services in the region. Train operations between Pathankot Cantt and Kandrori were suspended due to soil erosion caused by flash floods in the Chakki River. Services on the Jammu Tawi–Katra and Jammu Tawi–Bari Brahman routes have also been halted, with four trains short-terminated and short-originated as authorities assess the situation.

In response to the disaster, the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps has launched relief operations in coordination with the Shrine Board, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the White Knight Corps said: “Relief operations are ongoing at Ardhkuwari, Katra, in close coordination with all agencies to provide maximum humanitarian aid. We Serve, We Protect.”