A collapsed structure on a track to the Vaishno Devi shrine following a landslide, in Reasi district.
Credit: PTI photo
Katra/Jammu: Two women pilgrims from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh died while a five-year-old girl was grievously injured in a landslide on the new track to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Monday, officials said.
Movement of pilgrims on the Himkoti track was halted following the landslide but the pilgrimage to the shrine atop Trikuta hills continued through the traditional Sanjhichatt route, they said.
Describing the incident as "unfortunate", Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the loss of lives and sanctioned an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the bereaved families.
The deceased have been identified as Sapna (27) of Dhianpur village in Punjab's Gurdaspur, and Neha (23) of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, officials said.
In a condolence message, Sinha said, "Extremely pained to learn about the loss of precious lives of pilgrims due to the unfortunate incident of shooting stones on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track today. My deepest condolences to bereaved families in this hour of grief."
"Praying for the early recovery of the injured. I have directed the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the district administration, Reasi, to provide all necessary assistance, as provided in the rule, to the affected families and ensure best care for the injured," he said.
Officials said the landslide hit the route near Panchi, three kilometres ahead of Bhawan, around 2.15 pm. A portion of an overhead iron structure was also damaged, they said.
The pilgrims were heading for the shrine when they got trapped under the iron structure following the landslide, officials said.
According to them, the landslide was caused by shooting stones in the wake of rainfall over the past few days.
Deputy Commissioner of Reasi Vishesh Paul Mahajan said senior police and civil administration officers have rushed to the spot.
Mahajan too left for Katra -- the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrims -- to take stock of the situation and to personally know the condition of the injured girl.
Officials said disaster management teams of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) immediately reached the spot of the incident and launched a rescue operation.
The injured girl -- Sanvi a resident of Kanpur -- was admitted to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Narayana Superspeciality Hospital for treatment.
Her grandfather L Prasad said they were taking a break from trekking to the shrine when police started clearing the track due to a monkey scare. "Suddenly, there was a landslide and the debris fell on the tin shed which collapsed," he said. On New Year's Day in 2022, a stampede at the shrine left 12 pilgrims dead and 16 injured.
The Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir is gearing for assembly elections which are scheduled to take place from 18 September to 1 October 2024. The counting will be held on October 8.