Heavy Rains Trigger Landslide, Kill 36 In Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR (Jammu and Kashmir), Aug 27 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- At least 36 people have been killed and over 20 injured after heavy rains triggered a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, officials said Wednesday.

A police official told Anadolu Ajansi (AA) over the phone that 32 people were confirmed dead, while more than 20 others were injured in the incident in Katra city of the Reasi district.

“The police and other rescue teams are on ground. We are trying to search for the survivors,” the official said.

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Since Tuesday, at least 37 people have died in Reasi and Doda districts.

The flood control department in the region on Wednesday declared flood risk for the Jhelum River in the Kashmir Valley and advised people to stay away from river banks and move to safer areas.

Many structures have also been damaged. Schools, workplaces and businesses were closed as heavy rainfall swept through streets, bringing life to a standstill. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors.

Since Monday night, the region has experienced its heaviest rainfall in decades, damaging bridges, washing away roads and flooding large areas, forcing residents to relocate.

“At least 3,500 people have been evacuated to safer places so far,” officials said.

Indian Railways cancelled 18 trains to and from Katra, Udhampur and Jammu railway stations on Wednesday as heavy rains wreaked havoc in the Jammu region. Some services have since been restored.

Mobile and internet services were partially restored after intense rainfall caused a communication blackout, according to telecom operators.

Restoration work is still in progress after optical fibre lines were damaged in multiple locations.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU