Katra: A tragic Tuesday unfolded near the revered Vaishno Devi shrine as a massive landslide, triggered by relentless heavy rains, claimed the lives of at least 30 people and left several others injured. The incident, a grim reminder of nature’s fury, occurred at a key point along the pilgrimage route, near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at the Adhkwari cave temple. According to Reasi’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Paramvir Singh, a full-scale rescue operation is underway with all available manpower and machinery deployed to the site, as fears of more casualties loom.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) confirmed the disaster in a statement on X, acknowledging the landslide and the ongoing rescue efforts. The continuous downpour, which led to the fatal landslide, also wreaked havoc on the region’s railway network. Officials confirmed the cancellation of 18 trains, with traffic on the down line between Pathankot Cantt and Kandori suspended due to severe soil erosion and flash floods in the Chakki river.
In the wake of the tragedy, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences, calling the incident “extremely tragic.” He took to X to announce that he had spoken with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and that NDRF teams were rushed to the site to assist with relief measures. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also conveyed his distress, describing the event as “deeply distressing.” He directed officials to provide immediate relief to the injured and offer support to the grieving families. The LG’s office, in a statement on X, extended condolences to the bereaved and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. As authorities race against time to restore connectivity and ensure the safety of the pilgrimage route, rescue and relief operations continue in full swing.
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