Jammu, Aug 26: At least nine people including 5 on the Vaishno Devi shrine route were killed while several sustained injuries due to heavy rain in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district.

Several properties have also been damaged due to the landslides.

The district administration has asked people to stay away from riverbanks and remain alert.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the situation in many parts of Jammu province is "quite serious". "I'll be taking the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor the developing situation. In the meantime, instructions have been issued to place additional funds at the disposal of the DCs to cover emergency restoration work and other exigencies," he said on X.

The Chief Minister today chaired a high-level meeting about flood preparedness and asked every department to remain ready.

The government has also ordered the closure of educational institutions in the division tomorrow.

“In view of the prevailing inclement weather conditions and the occurrence of flood-like situations at various places across the region, it is hereby ordered that all government as well as private schools in the Jammu division shall continue to remain closed on August 27 (Wednesday),” said a government order.

A bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot highway collapsed, forcing the closure of the highway, as shooting stones blocked the Jammu-Srinagar highway.

Meanwhile, fresh snowfall on Zojila Pass has closed the Srinagar-Leh highway, while Sinthan Pass, connecting the Kashmir Valley with Kishtwar district, and Razdan Pass leading to the Gurez border town, have also been closed.

Major rivers Tawi and Ravi are flowing above the danger mark.

Basantar River in Samba, the Uhj River in Kathua, Chenab River in Doda, Ramban and Akhnoor areas and rivers in Reasi, Kishtwar and Doda districts are all flowing above the danger level.

Janipur, Roop Nagar, Bhagwati Nagar, Gujar Nagar, Marh, scores of villages in R.S. Pura and Akhnoor in Jammu district have been inundated.

The Met Department has said that, as it is still raining heavily in the Jammu division, though with a little less intensity since the afternoon, the next 24 hours would be crucial.

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