At least 31 people died and 23 others were injured after a massive landslide hit the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra track near Ardhkumari in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday.
The landslide occurred amid heavy rains recorded in the area.
Rescue teams are currently working tirelessly to detect the presence of more individuals who may be trapped under the debris.
According to reports, the yatra, which is attended by a large number of Hindu pilgrims every year, has been halted.
The yatra board wrote on X: “In view of recent incessant rain and inclement weather, all the yatries are hereby advised to replan their yatra to the shrine once the weather improves.”
The landslide reportedly caused significant damage, with a large number of properties and bridges collapsing.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the situation in many parts of the Jammu province is “quite serious”.
He said he would be taking the next flight to Jammu. However, he later posted on X that due to the closure of Jammu airport, he couldn’t reach the city. “I’m closely monitoring the situation & in touch with the teams on the ground in the division,” he posted on X.
He also spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the phone and briefed him about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting earlier in the day regarding flood preparedness and directed all departments to remain on alert.
Major rivers Tawi and Ravi are flowing above the danger mark.
In Kathua, the Ravi has overflowed at many places, resulting in flooding in low-lying areas.
Recent natural calamities in the Himalayan belt
The flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Chashoti village of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district left at least 60 people dead this month.
A cloudburst and the resultant massive landslide in Uttarkashi’s Dharali village in Uttarakhand earlier this month left at least four people dead.
