At least 35 people have lost their lives so far in Jammu and Kashmir due to landslides and flash floods triggered by record-breaking rainfall. Many are still missing, while several injured are undergoing treatment. The tragedy struck the Vaishno Devi Yatra route in Katra, sparking a political storm.

Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Chaudhary, has held the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directly responsible. Expressing anger, he questioned why the pilgrimage was allowed to continue despite a clear alert of heavy rains and cloudbursts.

“This is not an accident, this is a conspiracy. The devotees of Mata Vaishno Devi did not die, they were killed. When there was a high alert, why was the Yatra not stopped? The Shrine Board is headed by the LG himself—he must answer. Whoever is guilty, even the LG, strict action must be taken against them,” Chaudhary said.

He further demanded a special relief package from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, while also urging the Centre to set up a high-level inquiry committee to probe the role of officials, including the LG.

Local Anger Boils Over

In Katra, residents held protests from Shali Marg Park to the main bus stand, blaming the Shrine Board for the tragedy. Locals also criticized the “VVIP culture” within the Vaishno Devi management and even demanded that the Shrine Board be dissolved.

115-Year Rainfall Record Broken

The disaster follows unprecedented rainfall in Jammu, which recorded 380 mm in just 24 hours—the highest since 1910. The previous record stood at 270.4 mm in September 1988. Several areas in Jammu have been devastated, forcing the deployment of the Indian Army for relief and rescue operations. Torrential rains also caused flooding in parts of neighboring Punjab.