Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir (National Times): A tragic incident marred the sacred Amarnath Yatra on Wednesday evening as a 55-year-old woman pilgrim lost her life and three others sustained injuries following a landslide along the Baltal route in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir.
According to official reports, four pilgrims were swept downhill by a sudden landslide that struck near Railpathri, a vulnerable stretch on the Baltal axis leading to the revered Amarnath cave shrine. The pilgrims were on their spiritual journey when the mishap occurred.
Rescue teams acted swiftly, evacuating the injured to the Baltal base camp hospital. However, one of the pilgrims, identified as Sona Bai, a resident of Rajasthan, was declared dead on arrival by medical authorities.
The condition of the other three injured pilgrims is currently stable, hospital sources confirmed.
The incident has raised concerns over the safety of the mountainous terrain, particularly during the monsoon season when landslides and flash floods pose heightened risks to thousands of devotees making the annual pilgrimage.
Authorities have intensified monitoring of weather conditions and are reassessing safety measures along vulnerable stretches of the Yatra route. Additional rescue teams and medical units have also been placed on high alert.
Officials expressed condolences to the bereaved family and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all pilgrims. “We urge yatris to strictly follow all advisories and weather warnings,” a spokesperson from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) stated.
The Amarnath Yatra, one of Hinduism’s most significant pilgrimages, attracts lakhs of devotees every year. While the spiritual journey is one of deep faith, the trek through the rugged Himalayan terrain often brings natural challenges, making preparedness crucial for both pilgrims and authorities.
