Vaishno Devi Tragedy: Death Toll Rises to 38 After Landslides and Floods in Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is reeling from the aftermath of flash floods and landslides, the second major monsoon disaster during the pilgrimage season. Rescue teams made a grim discovery on Wednesday, recovering 28 more bodies from the site of a landslide along the trek to the Vaishno Devi shrine. This recovery brought the total number of fatalities resulting from Tuesday’s events in Reasi and Doda to 38. The victims, primarily pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Punjab, were found at Ardhkuwari in Reasi. Initially, six deaths were reported, and at least 20 individuals sustained injuries in the landslide. The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, announced financial aid of Rs 9 lakh each for the families of the victims. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also sanctioned Rs 4 lakh each for the families of the 11 individuals from his state who perished in the Reasi landslide. Former CM Omar Abdullah raised concerns about the safety protocols, questioning the decision to allow pilgrims to continue on the Vaishno Devi route during the severe weather. The Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, subsequently briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the flood situation and the Union territory’s emergency response, including evacuation and relief efforts.