New Delhi, 27 August 2025 (dpa/MIA) – At least 30 people died and several others sustained injuries after heavy rains triggered a landslide in India's northern region of Jammu and Kashmir, news reports said on Wednesday.

Several bodies have been found since the landslide occurred on Tuesday afternoon near the popular Vaishnodevi Hindu shrine in the area of Katra, senior police official Paramvir Singh was quoted as saying by the Times of India newspaper.

Search and rescue operations are continuing.

Rail and road traffic have been disrupted in the region due to the rain. The annual pilgrimage to the Vaishnodevi shrine has been halted.

Heavy rains have triggered flash floods and landslides in India's northern hill states in the monsoon season, causing deaths and severe damage to infrastructure.

Flash floods of water, mud and rubble swept through Chisoti village in Jammu and Kashmir on August 14 killing 65 people and leaving more than 100 injured.

A similar incident occurred in Dharali village in neighbouring Uttarakhand state on August 5. One body has been recovered while around 40 people remain missing.

India's monsoon season, which runs from June to September, brings relief to farmers but routinely leaves a trail of death and devastation.

According to official data more than 1,200 people have died in monsoon-related incidents in India since June 1. These include deaths from landslides, drowning, house and infrastructure collapses, lightning and falling trees.

Most of the deaths have occurred in the states of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Uttarakhand.

Photo: epa