30 killed in Jammu, Vaishno Devi Yatra Suspended Amid Heavy Rains in Jammu and Kashmir
Vaishno Devi Yatra Suspended Amid Heavy Rains in Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu: At least 30 people were killed and 20 were injured after heavy rains triggered a massive landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra in Jammu & Kashmir’s Reasi district on Tuesday, sources said on Wednesday.
The pilgrimage to the shrine was suspended when the mountainside literally gave way and stones, boulders and rocks came hurtling down around 3pm on Tuesday. The landslide struck at a point about halfway along the winding 12-km trek from Katra to the shrine. The pilgrimage to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been temporarily suspended due to heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday described the situation in several parts of Jammu as “serious” and directed the administration to remain on high alert.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the Union Territory. Continuous downpour over the past three days has triggered landslides, blocked roads, and led to swelling rivers.
Officials said traffic movement on the Jammu–Srinagar national highway has been halted as a precautionary measure after landslides and stonefall in Ramban district. Several rivers, including the Tawi, Chenab, Ujh, Ravi and their tributaries, are flowing close to or above the danger mark. The Tawi river in Udhampur has crossed the 20-feet danger level.
In June, a landslide had already blocked the new track to the shrine in Reasi district. While battery car and helicopter services were earlier suspended, the pilgrimage was continuing through the traditional track until it was called off on Tuesday.
According to IMD data, Kathua district recorded the highest rainfall at 155.6 mm in the past 24 hours, followed by Bhaderwah (99.8 mm), Jammu (81.5 mm) and Katra (68.8 mm).
Authorities have urged people to avoid rivers, streams and landslide-prone zones, warning of more heavy rainfall in districts including Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar.
