Indian Railways Cancels 68 Trains In Jammu Till Sept 30 As Rains Batter Region

The downpour that has gripped Jammu and Kashmir since August 26 continues to throw the region off balance. Railways on Wednesday confirmed that 68 trains in and out of Jammu and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra stations will remain cancelled until September 30, a move that underscores the scale of disruption caused by rain and flash floods.

Jammu Rains: Flood Flash Impacts The Region

According to India TV News, the Pathankot–Jammu stretch, a lifeline for the division, has been left battered with breaches and track misalignments, forcing the suspension of train traffic for more than a week. An official quoted that they have begun phased restoration, and around twenty-four trains will be brought back gradually.

For stranded pilgrims and locals, there is some relief. Four trains have been drafted into service between Jammu and Katra from September 1 to 15, essentially two pairs of shuttles running daily. The Railways has also restored long-haul services like the Jammu Tawi–Kolkata and Katra–New Delhi trains.

By midweek, a partial roster was back: the Sampark Kranti, Sealdah Express, Kantri Express, Trivandrum Express and a set of shuttle trains. The much-awaited Vande Bharat Express is slated to restart from September 7. Officials said 5,784 passengers stranded in Jammu have already been ferried onwards in seven trains.

But the big picture is grim! Jammu has logged 380 mm of rain, the heaviest since 1910, and the weather’s fury has already turned deadly. A landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra killed 34 people recently. 

Also Read: Part Of Jammu’s Tawi Bridge Collapses After Heavy Downpour; Video Shows Vehicles Stranded

Most Affected Areas

The IMD’s latest forecast offers little comfort. Intermittent showers swept the Valley on Tuesday evening, with south Kashmir hit hardest. Most districts saw light to moderate rain, but the warning of heavier spells still hangs over the region.

Authorities are keeping a close eye on the Jhelum and other rivers, which are thankfully running below the flood-alert level. Contingency teams remain on standby, with slopes and vulnerable stretches of highway under round-the-clock surveillance.

For now, travellers and devotees are caught in uncertainty. The rain has cut off roads, trains are running in patches, and advisories change by the day. What is usually peak season for pilgrims heading to Vaishno Devi has turned into a season of caution.

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The Railways insists it is moving as quickly as conditions allow, but much depends on the skies clearing. Until then, those headed to Jammu are being urged to double-check timetables and brace for last-minute changes.

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