Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, August 26 – A major landslide struck the pilgrimage route to the Vaishno Devi shrine on Tuesday, claiming five lives and injuring 14 others. The incident occurred near Adhkwari, midway on the 12-kilometre track to the shrine, around 3 pm.
Officials said the landslide was triggered by days of relentless rainfall across the region. Massive rocks and debris rolled down near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya area, catching devotees and staff by surprise.
Rescue operations began immediately, with the Army, police, and disaster response teams rushing to the spot. The injured were moved to nearby hospitals, and authorities confirmed that all necessary medical support had been arranged.
Following the tragedy, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board halted the pilgrimage to ensure the safety of devotees. Officials appealed to pilgrims not to travel until weather conditions stabilize and the route is cleared.
The landslide comes amid widespread disruption caused by heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir. Train services have been severely affected, with at least ten trains cancelled due to track damage and waterlogging. Flash floods and blocked roads have also been reported in several parts of the region.
Authorities assured that restoration work is in progress and the yatra route will reopen only after complete clearance and safety checks.
