L-G Sinha visits pilgrims injured in Vaishno Devi landslide

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday reached out to people injured in the Vaishno Devi landslide. He spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and briefed them about the post-flood situation.

The death toll in the Vaishno Devi landslide has gone up to 34, with rescuers pulling out more bodies from under the debris, officials said on Wednesday, a day after the disaster struck the route to the shrine at Adhkuwari in the Trikuta hills of the Katra belt.

At least 20 people were injured in the landslide triggered by heavy, relentless rain and are undergoing treatment in different hospitals, officials said.

Sinha, who visited the injured pilgrims at Narayana Hospital in Katra, said, “I have just met the injured persons. Thirteen of them are admitted to the hospital here; they are stable and are receiving the best possible treatment.”

The L-G said many of those who died in the landslide have already been identified, and arrangements are being made by the administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to send bodies to their families.

“The entire administration is engaged in protecting people’s lives and property. Relief and rescue operations are underway,” he said. “I directed officials for maximum readiness and presence of staff at their posts to respond to emergency situations,” added Sinha.