Vaishno Devi Landslide: Kills 5 Members of UP Families

A catastrophic landslide along the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district on August 26, 2025, turned a sacred journey into a tragedy for two families from Uttar Pradesh, claiming the lives of five members. The disaster, which occurred around 3 p.m., has left communities in Meerut and Agra in mourning, with the death toll rising to 32 by August 27.

In Meerut’s Mawana, the Verma family suffered a devastating loss when a lightning strike triggered the landslide, killing sisters Neera Verma (35) and Chandni. The family, including Neera’s husband Amit Verma (40) and their daughter Vidhi (10), had embarked on the pilgrimage on August 25. Amit and Vidhi escaped unharmed, but the loss of Neera and Chandni has plunged their Mohalla Tihai neighborhood into grief. Neera’s body was returned to Mawana on August 28, while Chandni’s last rites were performed in her village in Khekra, attended by grieving relatives and locals. Amit, a jeweler, and his father Ashok, who runs a chaat stall, are receiving condolences from the community.

In Agra’s Kumharpara, shoemaker Deepak Kumar’s family faced similar heartbreak. The landslide claimed the lives of his mother Sunita Devi (50), his 11-month-old daughter Sejal, and his sister-in-law Bhavna (11). The family of nine had traveled to Jammu on August 24 for their daughter’s mundan ceremony. Survivors, including Deepak’s wife Mona, daughters Angel and Sejal, father Arjun Singh, sister Jasmin, and brother-in-law Mohit, are awaiting the return of the deceased and injured.

Also Read: Vaishno Devi Landslide Kills 32, President Murmu Expresses Grief

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences on August 27, announcing financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of deceased pilgrims from the state. He directed officials to expedite the transportation of victims’ remains to their native places. The tragedy underscores the vulnerability of pilgrimage routes to natural disasters and the profound impact on affected families, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures.

Also Read: Vaishno Devi Landslide Kills 32, President Murmu Expresses Grief