At least thirty-one people were killed and several others are feared trapped after a massive landslide struck the route leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra town of Jammu region in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. According to Kashmir Media Service, the landslide occurred near the Adhkwari area on the 12-kilometre-long track from Katra to the shrine, burying scores of Hindu pilgrims under debris.

Rescue teams have been pressed into service, while search operations are being hampered by heavy rains and difficult terrain. The incident came amid incessant monsoon rains that have triggered flash floods, road collapses and large-scale damage to infrastructure across the Jammu region. Low-lying areas remain inundated while landslides have blocked several key highways. 

Communication networks have also been badly affected with reports of telecommunication services going down in many areas. Meanwhile, locals said that the administration has failed to put in place preventive measures despite repeated incidents of landslides and flash floods in the region, leaving residents and pilgrims vulnerable to natural disasters. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)