August 26, Tuesday: A journey of the pilgrims to the holy Mata Vaishno Devi temple became a mournful tragedy on Tuesday afternoon when a landslide hit the path in Jammu and Kashmir's Trikuta mountains. 5 pilgrims were killed while 14 others were injured in the accident that took place near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari at around 3 pm.
Pilgrimage suspended as rescue efforts initiated
The yatra has been halted after the incident as rescue teams rushed to clear the debris and evacuate stranded pilgrims. The officials informed India Today that the Himkoti trekking route had already been closed earlier in the day due to incessant rain, but pilgrims were still moving on the old route until the authorities stopped it entirely after the landslide.
Heavy rains cause havoc across Jammu and Kashmir
The landslide followed Jammu and Kashmir struggling with three days of incessant rain. In another rain-related disaster earlier during the day, four individuals lost their lives in a cloudburst in Doda district. According to India Today, this took the death toll across the Union Territory to nine in 24 hours.
The rains also caused flash floods that destroyed homes, interrupted power and telecommunication services, and caused Northern Railway to suspend 18 trains running to and from Katra, Udhampur, and Jammu. Official sources also said water levels in major rivers increased. In Betaab Valley of Pahalgam, the Sheshnag Nallah swelled to 6.02 feet, above its danger mark of 5.09 feet.
India Today also said that authorities have asked people to avoid going near the hill slopes and any water bodies until weather conditions become more stable. The tragedy on Vaishno Devi yatra route has highlighted the increasing threat posed by severe and catastrophic weather conditions in the region.
