Vaishno Devi landslide toll mounts to 34; J-K LG announces Rs 9 lakh compensation

The death toll in the Vasihno Devi landslide on Wednesday mounted to 34, including 16 women and 2 children. At least 23 others were injured after the massive landslide hit them on the Vaishno Devi track route.

The authorities have identified 20 of those dead. The victims were from across the country, officials said.

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The rescue operation by the Army, CRPF, NDRF and SDRF was ongoing and debris was being removed to rule out the possibility of more people trapped there.

The Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board authorities had initially said that five people had died and 14 were injured in the Tuesday’s incident. However, the number of casualties was increasing as the debris was being removed.

It is feared that the number might further rise. Bodies of 25 dead have been shifted to the Government Medical College at Jammu.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also chairman of the Shrine Board, has announced ex-gratia of Rs 9 lakh to the kin of each killed. The Board’s policy provides for an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of any individual who dies in an unfortunate incident. An additional Rs 4 lakh will be provided from SDRF, he said.

The Jammu region has witnessed widespread damages and loss of lives due to cloudbursts and landslides during the incessant rains that were continuing since Monday.

The Vaishnodevi yatra has been suspended after the tragedy hit the region at about 3 pm on Tuesday.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the landslide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote 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.”

Modi on Wednesday assured continued assistance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah briefed him about the widespread damage in Jammu caused by the ongoing floods triggered by torrential rains that have hit the region.

Omar, who reached here from Srinagar this morning after the air flights resumed, visited the worst affected areas and assessed the situation.

He wrote on X, “Spoke to Hon PM @narendramodi Sb a short while ago. I briefed him about the situation in J&K from the worst hit areas as I toured the parts of Jammu, along the banks of the Tawi, that saw a lot of damage yesterday. I’m grateful for his assurance of continued assistance to the people of J&K.”
The Chief Minister visited the flood-affected areas of Jammu to assess the situation on ground. He assured of taking all necessary measures to safeguard people in vulnerable areas.

He also visited the 4th Tawi Bridge at Bagwati Nagar, Jammu, to take stock of the extensive damage caused to it.

The bad weather in J&K had earlier this month targeted Machail Mata pilgrims in Kishtwar where at least 67 of them were killed and about 40 are still missing after a cloudburst.
The torrential rains that triggered flash floods in the region have damaged at least three vital bridges, two on the Jammu-Pathankot highway, and also road and other infrastructure. Electric and water supply in many areas of Jammu was snapped for the past nearly 24 hours. Internet and mobile phone services were also hit.

Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha has directed officials to restore electric and water supply in the affected areas. He said on X that more than 5000 people were evacuated from low-lying flooded areas to safety. Army, NDRF & SDRF is working in coordination with the Divisional Commissioner’s office and we are ensuring that there is adequate supply of relief materials & all possible assistance is being given to those affected.