Rains continue to batter Jammu region, one killed in landslide

A 65-year-old woman died after a landslide struck her in Bani tehsil of Kathua district early Monday morning, as relentless rains continued to lash the Jammu region, triggering multiple landslides and causing several water bodies to overflow.

The victim, identified as Chinto Devi, had gone to her fields in Kachir Kalta village when a landslide from a nearby hill buried her. Locals attempted to rescue her, but she had already succumbed by the time they reached her.

Station House Officer (SHO) of Bani police station, Surinder Raina, confirmed that the police received a call from the victim’s relatives on Monday morning, after which an official report was filed. “She had gone to check on her crops when the incident occurred,” the SHO said.

In another incident, a fuel station in Udhampur was severely damaged due to a landslide. The station was buried under debris and boulders after the Balli Nullah in the area overflowed, carrying muck onto the premises. Traffic in the vicinity was disrupted, prompting authorities to deploy men and machinery to clear the slush. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Traffic police reported that the movement of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) was suspended on the Jammu–Pathankot National Highway due to damage to a key bridge near Logate Morh. The bridge collapsed from the middle following the overflowing of Sahar Khad in Kathua district. The highway is a critical link between Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.

Meanwhile, in Reasi district, the administration imposed a complete ban on the movement of all vehicles—including private and public transport—in the Dharmari Sub Division from 8 pm to 6 am daily, citing safety concerns. Traffic on the Reasi–Arnas–Mahore Road has also been suspended during this period, and the public has been urged to adhere to the restrictions.

In view of the continuing inclement weather, the Directorate of School Education, Jammu, ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the Jammu division until August 26. Schools remained closed on Monday as well.

The administration, citing an advisory from the Meteorological Department, warned of the possibility of intense rainfall, cloudbursts, flashfloods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir. The J&K Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) also issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rain over the next 40 hours in several districts, including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar.