Jammu’s Silent Struggle: Lives Lost, Families Disconnected, and Hope in the Face of Fury
In the quiet of what should have been a sacred pilgrimage, disaster struck with devastating force.
At least nine pilgrims lost their lives on the revered Vaishno Devi route, crushed by a sudden landslide near Adhkwari—midway to the shrine. The mountainside gave way just before 3 PM, turning a spiritual journey into a tragedy for many families. Over 21 others were injured, and the usual hum of prayers was replaced by the wailing of sirens and the sounds of desperate rescue efforts.
But this tragedy is just one part of a much larger calamity sweeping across Jammu & Kashmir.
Relentless rains have battered the region for days, causing widespread flash floods and landslides, collapsing bridges, electricity poles, and telecom towers. Whole communities are cut off from the world—no phones, no internet, no light—just silence and uncertainty. For many, it’s a haunting reminder of the isolation they faced during the 2014 floods and the 2019 lockdowns.
Rivers have overflowed, turning into monsters, uprooting everything in their paths—trees, homes, dreams.
Schools are shut. Exams postponed. Trains cancelled. Roads erased.
Entire regions in Reasi, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, and Doda are reeling under the impact. Four people died in Doda, including a young child who drowned. More than 3,500 residents have been evacuated so far, thanks to the tireless work of the Jammu district administration, Indian Army, NDRF, SDRF, and local volunteers.
With network outages crippling communication—due to damage to optical fibre cables—rescue efforts have become even more complex. Former CM Omar Abdullah took to social media, lamenting the near-complete blackout:
“Still struggling with almost nonexistent communication… Haven’t felt this disconnected since the terrible days of 2014 & 2019.”
Despite the chaos, human spirit continues to shine. Community kitchens in Muthi and Satwari are feeding hundreds. Temporary shelters at places like the Youth Hostel in Jammu are housing the displaced. Medical teams are treating the injured and vulnerable.
The Army has mobilised three relief columns, working shoulder to shoulder with civil authorities. One column is active in Adhkwari, another on the Katra-Thakra Kot road, and the third south of Jaurian—ensuring that no one is left behind.
The Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, and landslides until August 27. Authorities are urging people to stay away from riverbanks and hill roads.
This isn’t just a news story. This is human life interrupted, tested, and yet holding on.
Let us not forget the faces behind the numbers—children separated from families, elders stranded without medication, daily wage workers who’ve lost everything. Now, more than ever, the people of Jammu & Kashmir need not just relief—but empathy, support, and sustained attention.