In 24 hours, that is between August 26, 8:30 am and August 27, 8:30 am, Jammu recorded 296 mm rainfall, breaking the previous record of the highest rainfall in 24 hours of 272.6 mm on August 9, 1973.

More than 5,000 people were evacuated from the banks of various flooded rivers and inundated low-lying areas in the Jammu region as rescue agencies and the administration continued to reach out to stranded people in flood-hit Jammu and Samba districts.

Most of the Jammu division, which has been inundated by flash floods triggered by heavy rains, continued to receive rain, although of less intensity. Efforts to restore water supply, electricity and internet services that have been severely hit are underway, but schools and colleges have been ordered shut.

Actor Bhumi re-shared a picture of the devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir on her Instagram story. The text on the picture read, “Next 24 hours critical for Jammu and Kashmir”.

“Praying for everyone in all the flood hit areas,” she captioned.

Actor Dia Mirza shared a video of a part of a caved highway amid heavy rain. The actress asked for accountability behind the reckless harm to the environment for human development.

“First Himachal, Uttrakhand and now Jammu and Kashmir... it has been relentless... will this shake up the conscience of those destroying every system in nature that ensures balance? ‘On the highway to man made hell (sic)’,” she wrote in an Instagram story.

Train services were restored from Jammu on Wednesday after a day-long suspension, with six trains scheduled to leave for their destinations, officials said.

Northern Railway on Tuesday night announced the cancellation of 22 incoming and outgoing trains from Jammu and Katra railway stations, while 27 trains were short-terminated at various stations in the division due to heavy rain that lashed the region.

“Train services have been restored from Jammu. Six trains, which were either cancelled or short-terminated, will leave for their destinations today,” a railway official said.

According to the PRO of Jammu Division, the six restored trains include three that were earlier cancelled and three that were short-terminated at different stations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi prayed for everyone's safety and well-being following a landslide en route to the Vaishno Devi shrine. He expressed grief over the deaths and wished for speedy recovery of those who suffered injuries.

"The loss of lives due to a landslide on the route to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. The administration is assisting all those affected. My prayers for everyone's safety and well-being," PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

Among the damaged structures is the historic Madhopur bridge, which became a part of history when Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee was arrested in the middle of this bridge on May 11 1953, wrote Union Minister Jitendra Singh, sharing an update on rain in Jammu.

Movement of traffic on this bridge has been stopped since 3 am this morning, he added.

30 people have reportedly died in a landslide that occurred en route to Vaishno Devi on Tuesday. Several pilgrims have suffered injuries and have been moved to hospitals.

Vaishno Devi yatra remains suspended.

Schools and colleges in Jammu have been ordered to remain closed, and the general public is advised to refrain from non-essential movement for their safety.

The C130 landed at Jammu with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, carrying relief and rescue materials.

The immediate priority is restoration of electricity, water supply and mobile services, for which the authorities have been working continuously overnight, noted Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

The level of river Tawi has receded, but river Chenab continues to flow close to the danger mark.

The entire Jammu division, barring Poonch and Rajouri districts, is still witnessing rain, though of a lesser intensity, Union Minister Jitendra Singh shared an update.

Flight operations to Leh have been affected because of poor weather conditions, said the Delhi Airport.

"Due to bad conditions in Leh, flight operations to the destination have been affected. We are working closely with all the stakeholders to support passengers and minimise inconvenience. For specific flight information, kindly contact the respective airline," the Delhi Airport said in the passenger advisory on X.

Over 3,500 residents have been evacuated to safety following incessant rains that caused flash floods and waterlogging across Jammu in Jammu and Kashmir.

Teams from District Administration, J&K Police, NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army and local volunteers have been working on evacuation and relief in the worst-hit areas, while authorities are also focused on restoring critical infrastructure and essential services.

Immediate priority has been to move residents from vulnerable pockets to safer locations while ensuring food, clean water and medical care at temporary shelters, said officials.

Udhampur Air Force Station recorded an exceptional 540 mm rainfall on Tuesday (August 26) in just 12 hours between 8:30 am and 8:30 pm, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The IMD data shows that the average monsoon rainfall recorded in Delhi during the entire Monsoon Season (June to September) is 640.4 mm. This shows that Udhampur IAF received 84.3 per cent of the total average rainfall received in a year in Delhi during the Southwest Monsoon season in just 12 hours yesterday.

The C130 and IL76 aircraft will take off shortly with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, carrying relief and rescue materials to Jammu from Hindon.

Helicopter assets like Chinook, Mi-17 V5 are on active standby at all nearby bases like Jammu, Udhampur, Srinagar, and Pathankot.

Families whose relatives are visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan have been advised to contact the following helpline numbers for reporting or seeking any kind of assistance:

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said he is "still struggling with almost non-existent communication" as heavy rain has disrupted several services in the Union Territory.

Mr Abdullah said there is "no fixed line WiFi, no browsing" and apps are opening "frustratingly slowly".
 

In view of incessant rain in Jammu and Kashmir and landslide events, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has advised all devotees to replan their journey to the shrine once the weather improves.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducts a rescue operation after a landslide hit the Ardhkuwari cave temple near the Vaishno Devi shrine, in Reasi, on Tuesday.