Relief Trains Bring Hope to Flood-Stranded Passengers in Jammu
Good news for travelers hit hard by the recent floods in Jammu! The Northern Railways’ Jammu division has stepped in with special train services to help passengers stuck between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra in Reasi district and Sangaldan in Ramban district. These trains kick off today, Monday, September 8, and run daily until September 12, offering a quick fix amid the chaos.
Heavy rains over the past week turned parts of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) into a watery mess, crippling roads and halting regular train services. Thousands of pilgrims heading back from the famous Vaishno Devi shrine found themselves stranded, along with locals and other travelers. Railways teams worked around the clock to provide food, water, and safe transport at key stations, but ongoing downpours kept many areas cut off.
To tackle this, Northern Railways launched two special trains—04685 and 04686—connecting Katra to Sangaldan. These short-haul services aim to get residents and flood-affected passengers moving again. They’ll stop at spots like Reasi, Bakkal, Dugga, and Sawalkot for easy access.
Here’s the schedule: Train 04685 leaves Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra at 8:40 AM and pulls into Sangaldan by 10:00 AM. The return trip, train 04686, departs Sangaldan at 2:15 PM and reaches Katra at 3:45 PM, hitting the same stops on the way back. Perfect for a quick journey through the flood-hit Jammu region!
On the recovery front, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah isn’t wasting time. On Saturday, he ordered officials to set up special teams to check flood damage in Anantnag and Kulgam districts. These squads will compile reports and push for central government aid to support the affected folks in J&K.
This move by Northern Railways highlights how essential quick transport solutions become during natural disasters like floods in Jammu and Kashmir. Stay tuned for updates on railway services and flood relief efforts as things improve.
