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Key Points

Heavy rains have triggered a devastating landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine, resulting in 30 fatalities. The incident has left numerous devotees, particularly from Bihar, stranded due to massive train cancellations. Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing severe communication breakdowns, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah describing it as the worst since 2014. Rescue and restoration efforts are underway amid continuing challenging weather conditions.

Key Points: Vaishno Devi Landslide Strands Devotees Amid Jammu Train Cancellations

  • Landslide near Adhkwari cave temple kills 30 people
  • 18 trains canceled due to soil erosion and flash floods
  • Devotees from Bihar stranded without transportation
  • Jammu and Kashmir faces severe communication breakdown
3 min read

J-K: Devotees left stranded amid train cancellations due to landslide near Vaishno Devi shrine

Heavy rains trigger landslide near Vaishno Devi shrine, killing 30 and stranding pilgrims as 18 trains canceled. Devotees from Bihar express fear and desperation to return home.

"We are scared and want to go home - Rajkumari Devi, devotee from Bihar"

Reasi, August 27

Several devotees to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, were left stranded after train cancellations due to a landslide triggered by heavy rain.

Speaking to ANI, Rajkumari Devi, a devotee from Bihar, said, "I am from Motihari, Bihar. We have here a day before yesterday. We had the 'Darshan'. Now, we want to go home, but we are not able to as the trains are cancelled. A huge mishap has occurred. We are scared and want to go home."

"I am from Champaran, Bihar... The trains have shut down. We are facing issues with reaching Bihar. We heard that a huge mishap had happened after we had 'Darshan' and returned... We are trapped here due to the rain... We had tickets, but the trains have shut down," another devotee said.

Thirty people have lost their lives after heavy rains triggered a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine, said Paramvir Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Reasi.

The landslide occurred near Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari cave temple, located on the route to the Vaishno Devi shrine.

The landslide and continuous rains also hit railway services in the region.

Eighteen trains were cancelled due to the suspension of traffic on the down line between Pathankot Cantt and Kandrori following soil erosion and flash floods in the Chakki river, officials said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated on Wednesday that Jammu and Kashmir is still struggling with almost nonexistent communication, as the Union Territory reels from the damage caused by heavy rain.

"Still struggling with almost nonexistent communication. There is a trickle of data flowing on Jio mobile, but no fixed line WiFi, no browsing, almost no apps, things like X open frustratingly slowly, WhatsApp struggles with anything more than short text messages. Haven't felt this disconnected since the terrible days of 2014 & 2019," the Chief Minister said in a post on X.

Earlier on Tuesday, Omar Abdullah spoke on the phone with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to brief him about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where heavy and continuous rains have caused significant damage and disruption to normal life.

"Efforts are being made to restore phone/data connectivity as soon as possible. The closure of Jammu airport stopped me & my colleagues from reaching Jammu this evening. I hope to be able to get there on the first flight tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm closely monitoring the situation & in touch with the teams on the ground in the division," Abdullah had said in a post on X on Tuesday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My family was planning to visit next month. Now we're reconsidering. The government needs to invest more in infrastructure in these pilgrimage sites. Safety should be the top priority.
A
Arjun K
Nature's fury is beyond human control, but our response shouldn't be. Hope the stranded devotees get help soon. Mata Rani will protect them. Jai Mata Di! 🕉️
S
Sarah B
The communication breakdown mentioned by CM Abdullah is concerning. In emergency situations, connectivity is crucial for coordination and relief efforts. Hope they restore services quickly.
V
Vikram M
This is why we need better early warning systems in hilly areas. Monsoon season always brings these challenges. My prayers with the affected families and the 30 people who lost their lives.
M
Michael C
While the situation is tragic, I appreciate that the CM is being transparent about the challenges and coordinating with the central government. That's how disaster management should work.

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