A sudden landslide occurred at Katra on the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route on Monday morning, triggered by heavy rains in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir. At least four devotees were injured in the mishap, officials said. The incident happened around 8:50 am near the Banganga area, known as the spot from where the pilgrimage for pilgrims and horse-mule services starts.
During the landslide, several people were trapped under the debris, and some sustained injuries. However, a major loss of life was averted due to the quick response of the local administration and volunteers. Relief and rescue operations were immediately launched, which included palanquin bearers, porters, shrine board personnel, and members of the police force. These efforts led to the safe evacuation of four injured and their rescue.
STORY | Landslide hits Vaishno Devi track in J-K’s Reasi; four pilgrims injured
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According to eyewitnesses, several sheds on the yatra route suffered heavy damage, and the debris created chaos. The route is most frequently used by pedestrians and pony services. Thousands of pilgrims pass through this route every day, and the landslide has temporarily closed the route, bringing the yatra to a halt.
No official statement has been issued yet, but rescue work is underway. Apart from Katra, the impact of heavy rains was also seen in other areas. A landslide occurred on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near the Dewal bridge near Samroli village in Udhampur on Sunday evening, disrupting traffic towards Kashmir and closing the upper lane of the highway.
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