Two men die as landslide hits tent in Reasi, Jammu-Srinagar highway blocked

With torrential rains lashing the Jammu region for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, two workers lost their lives when a landslide struck their tent in the Badera area of Mahore in Reasi district early this morning.

The incident occurred near a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva in the mountainous Badora belt of Mahore tehsil, officials said. The two victims, who had been deployed to maintain the track leading to the shrine, were asleep in the tent when the landslide hit.

The deceased were identified as Ravi Kumar (23), a resident of Udhampur, and Rashpal Singh (26), a resident of Reasi. Five other workers were rescued by police and administrative officials.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, leading to its closure for over four hours. Many Amarnath pilgrims were stranded due to the disruption. The highway was partially restored by 3 pm, with repair and clearance work continuing into the evening.

A traffic police official said the highway had been shut due to flooding and mudslides near the T2 tunnel and Seri in Ramban district. An official added that many private vehicles, as well as two convoys carrying Amarnath pilgrims returning from Kashmir, were stranded at various locations along the route.

Elsewhere, the mountainous Kishtwar–Sinthan road was also blocked due to flash floods at Sinthan Nallah in Kishtwar district. Reports of landslides and road blockages also came in from several link roads in the hilly districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda and Ramban. Authorities said efforts were underway to clear and reopen all affected roads.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has issued a red alert for heavy rain in the districts of Anantnag, Doda, Kulgam, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur. The advisory warns of intense showers likely to cause flash floods, landslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable areas.

In light of the deteriorating weather conditions, authorities on Tuesday set up 24x7 control rooms at nearly all district headquarters across the Jammu division. Officials said District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) have been directed to take all necessary precautions and follow established protocols to ensure public safety and mitigate potential risks.

Boy trapped in river after flash flood in Rajouri rescued

A nine-year-old boy was rescued on Wednesday in a joint operation by Army, SDRF and police after he got trapped in a river following flash floods in Rajouri, officials said. After receiving information, the Army, SDRF, police, and local divers conducted a coordinated rescue operation to save the boy trapped amid the rising waters of a flooded river in Rajouri, they said. The Army used a chopper to rescue the boy, they said, adding that it took three hours to carry out the joint operation. The child was grazing his cattle when heavy flash floods occurred and he got trapped in the middle of the river, they said.