The Northern Railway announced the cancellation of 68 incoming and outgoing trains from Jammu and Katra stations until September 30, following severe disruptions caused by unprecedented rainfall and flash floods in the Jammu region. The deluge, which began on August 26, has led to misalignments and breaches at multiple points along the Pathankot-Jammu railway section, halting rail traffic for eight consecutive days. However, 24 trains, including critical services like the Vande Bharat and Sampark Kranti, are set to resume operations, offering some relief to stranded passengers.

The Jammu region recorded its heaviest rainfall since 1910, with 380 mm of rain by August 27, triggering landslides and flooding that severely impacted rail and road connectivity. A tragic landslide near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra claimed 34 lives, leaving pilgrims and locals stranded.

To address the crisis, the Railways has introduced shuttle services between Jammu Tawi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, operating two pairs of trains from September 1 to 15 to ferry locals and stranded passengers. Additional services, including the Jammu Tawi-Kolkata and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-New Delhi routes, have been restored to facilitate travel.

The Railways reported that 5,784 stranded passengers have been transported via seven trains from Jammu to their destinations. The Vande Bharat train, a high-speed service, is slated to resume on September 7, while other key trains like the Sealdah Express, Kantri Express, and Trivandrum Express are already operational. “These measures aim to ease the movement of passengers, particularly pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine,” a railway official stated.

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The ongoing disruptions have caused significant inconvenience, with scores of travelers, including devotees, facing delays and cancellations. The Northern Railway is working to repair damaged tracks and restore full services, but the extensive damage caused by the floods has complicated efforts. Authorities have urged passengers to check train statuses before traveling and have set up helplines to assist those affected.

The heavy rainfall, described as a once-in-a-century event, has underscored the vulnerability of Jammu’s infrastructure to extreme weather. As restoration efforts continue, the Railways are coordinating with local authorities to ensure passenger safety and expedite repairs. The resumption of shuttle services and select long-distance trains signals a gradual return to normalcy, but full restoration may take weeks, leaving many travelers anxiously awaiting updates.

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