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Local News
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| Water recedes in Jammu, rescue operations continue after deadly floods | | | |  JAMMU, Aug. 29 -- Floodwaters have started to recede across the Jammu division, but rescue and relief operations remain in full swing after five days of unprecedented rain and landslides that have killed dozens and disrupted life across the region.
Teams from the Army, Air Force, NDRF, SDRF, J&K Police and other agencies are working round the clock to assist affected residents. At Ardhkuwari on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine route, search operations continued on Thursday at the site of a massive landslide that killed 35 pilgrims earlier this week. No additional bodies have been recovered so far, officials said. Pilgrimage to the shrine will remain suspended for at least three more days.
All schools and colleges in the Jammu division will stay closed until August 30 as a precaution. The Meteorological Department has forecast cloudy weather with occasional rain over the next 24 hours, warning that conditions may remain erratic until September 5.
Meanwhile, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board denied reports that it ignored weather advisories. In a statement, the board expressed sorrow over the tragedy and said conditions were clear on August 26 morning when the yatra was allowed to proceed. Registrations were suspended as soon as forecasts indicated rain, the board added, noting that safety staff and disaster teams were deployed along the route.
Transport and communications remain badly affected. The Jammu-Srinagar highway is closed for a fourth day due to landslides, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded, while other key routes such as Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag are shut. Only light vehicles are being allowed on the Mughal Road. Rail traffic is also suspended after flood damage to bridges and tracks, with 40 trains cancelled and several others short-terminated.
Large parts of Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban and Doda remain without mobile connectivity and power. Some areas, including parts of Jammu city, have been in blackout for three days. In Kashmir, where the Jhelum River has receded, schools reopened on Friday after a two-day closure.
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