Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of its worst natural disasters in decades as unprecedented rainfall triggered flash floods, landslides, and a deadly cloudburst, leaving at least 41 people dead in the Reasi and Doda districts.

Among the victims, 34 were Vaishno Devi pilgrims who lost their lives near Adhkunwari on Tuesday after a sudden cloudburst struck the pilgrimage route. Another four died in Doda due to rain-induced floods, while several others were injured. Eighteen of the deceased have been identified as residents of Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, expressed grief, calling it a “heart-wrenching tragedy.” He visited hospitals in Katra to meet the injured pilgrims and announced ex gratia relief of ₹9 lakh to families of the deceased.

The Vaishno Devi yatra was suspended after landslides buried pilgrims seeking shelter under iron sheds. While one route to the shrine had already been closed due to rain, the old trek route was shut only after conditions worsened.

Former CM Omar Abdullah raised tough questions over the administration’s preparedness, asking why pilgrims were not stopped despite prior weather warnings.

Official records revealed Jammu received 380 mm rainfall in just 24 hours, the highest since the observatory was set up in 1910, breaking the previous record of 270.4 mm in 1988.

Floodwaters damaged highways, disrupted telecom services, and forced closure of schools and colleges. Over 5,000 people were rescued from submerged areas, while the Army airlifted stranded CRPF personnel near Madhopur Headworks.

In the Valley, the Jhelum river swelled dangerously close to the danger mark, reviving fears of 2014-like floods. Authorities have placed Kashmir on high alert, with schools shut and internet services disrupted. Rescue teams continue to operate across affected regions as rains persist.