Landslide hits Vaishno Devi track in J-K's Reasi; pilgrim dead

A 70-year-old pilgrim was killed while nine others were injured when a massive landslide struck the old track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, officials said.

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They said a booking office and an overhead iron structure caved in under the weight of the landslide, triggered by heavy rains which lashed Katra town, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the shrine atop Trikuta hills.

The yatra remained suspended for several hours as a precautionary measure following the landslide.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the death of the pilgrim and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

The incident occurred around 8.30 am at Gulshan Ka Langar near Banganga, the starting point for the yatra where mostly pony riders gather along the old track and register before taking the pilgrims to the cave shrine, 12 km from the town.

The landslide resulted in critical injuries to three persons and minor injuries to seven others. All the injured were taken to a hospital, officiating Chief Executive Officer of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Sachin Kumar Vaishya told reporters.

Vaishya, who is also the district magistrate Jammu, said a full-fledged rescue and debris clearance operation is underway.

An earth-mover was also rushed to speed up the rescue efforts.

The critically injured -- Uppan Srivastava (70) of Chennai, his wife K Radha (66), and Rajinder Bhalla (70) of Haryana -- were admitted to Narayan hospital, where Srivastava breathed his last.

Leela Raikwar (56) of Uttar Pradesh was undergoing treatment at community health centre Katra, the officials said.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic landslide incident at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in which a devotee unfortunately lost his life.Directed Shrine Board to provide best possible medical care and support to the injured pilgrims. I'm constantly monitoring the situation," Sinha, who is also chairman of the shrine board, wrote on X.

Abdullah also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic landslide along the yatra track and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Officials said Suresh kumar (66) of Maharashtra and two locals Nikhil Thakur (26) and Vicky Sharma were discharged after first aid.

"I was inside the booking office when stones started hitting the overhead iron structure. We alerted others and rushed out fearing a landslide," Thakur told PTI over phone after receiving treatment for his foot injury at the community health centre.

He said there was a small group of devotees and pony riders at the scene in view of heavy rains.

According to the meteorological department, Katra town recorded 184.2 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours ending 8.30 am Monday.

Another landslide had blocked the new track near Himkoti Sunday night and efforts are ongoing to restore it.

"In response to a landslide in the general area of Katra, troops of White Knight Corps were swiftly mobilised to assist in relief and rescue operations in collaboration with civil authorities. Immediate support was provided to affected locals, showcasing Army's unwavering commitment to the people.

"Rescue and support operations currently in progress. We serve, We Protect!" the Army's White Knight Corps said in a post on X.

The officials said the yatra was restored through Tarakote Marg around 2 pm after remaining suspended for several hours as a precautionary measure.