Fibre Cuts Cripple Telecom Networks
Officials confirmed that the outage was triggered by “multiple fibre cuts at several locations”, severely affecting both private operators and state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). As a result, mobile phones displayed “no signal” across wide stretches of Jammu, Srinagar and adjoining regions. Landline services too went down in many areas.
“We are treating this as a top priority. Technical teams have been dispatched to restore connectivity,” one senior telecom official told. Major operators including Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea confirmed their networks were impacted simultaneously, leading to widespread complaints.
Residents Express Anger, Anxiety
The blackout sparked a wave of concern online. Several users posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reporting they were unable to reach relatives. One user wrote, “Can’t connect with family staying in Jammu and Kashmir. SIMs aren’t working.” Another resident in Srinagar said, “Connectivity down in whole Kashmir, both Jio and Airtel stopped working suddenly.”
Heavy Rains Trigger Flood-Like Situation
The network collapse came as the region grappled with incessant downpours that battered Jammu for three consecutive days. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah described the situation as “quite serious” and chaired an emergency review meeting. He announced that funds had been released to district administrations for immediate restoration and relief efforts.
“The relief and restoration works will proceed strictly as per SDRF norms. But I will ensure additional support wherever necessary,” Abdullah said, before flying to Jammu to personally monitor the situation. His office confirmed six people were injured after a landslide struck the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route, forcing authorities to suspend the yatra.
Outage Adds to Public Woes
With transport disrupted, schools closed, and pilgrimages suspended, the telecom blackout has compounded daily hardships. Students preparing for examinations complained about being unable to access online resources, while shopkeepers reported failed digital transactions.
Authorities assured that restoration was underway and services would return gradually. “We request citizens to stay patient. Multiple teams are working in adverse conditions to repair the fibres,” an official statement said.
The disruption once again highlights the vulnerability of India’s border regions to natural disasters, and the urgent need for resilient communication infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Access Now, India recorded the world’s highest number of internet shutdowns in 2024 — a grim reminder of how vital connectivity has become for everyday life.
