At least five people were killed and 14 were injured after heavy rainfall led to a landslide on the route to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hill on Tuesday afternoon.
This took the death toll in rain-related mishaps in the region to nine.
The landslide occurred around 3pm near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Ardhkuwari. Rescue operations were underway, and the pilgrimage was suspended. Follow LIVE updates here.
"Five pilgrims died and 14 others were injured in the incident. Soon after the incident, rescue teams were rushed to the spot," a police officer told HT.
{{/usCountry}}"Five pilgrims died and 14 others were injured in the incident. Soon after the incident, rescue teams were rushed to the spot," a police officer told HT.
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Earlier, the yatra had been suspended on the Himkoti trek route since morning, but continued on the old route until 1:30pm, when authorities decided to suspend it until further orders.
Heavy rainfall wreaks havoc in Jammu
Since Monday night, relentless heavy rain has pounded the Jammu region, and almost all water bodies are flowing above the danger mark. Four people were killed in rain-related incidents, as per reports, before the Vaishno Devi landslide.
Among those killed were a woman who died in Gandoh on Monday and three other deaths have been reported from Gandoh, Thathri and Bhaderwah.
At least 18 houses have also been damaged in heavy rains.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah said the situation in many parts of Jammu was “quite serious,” and that he will take the next available flight from Srinagar to Jammu to personally monitor the situation.
Abdullah also chaired an emergency meeting to review the situation in the Jammu division.
"The relief and restoration works will proceed strictly as per SDRF norms. However, wherever additional requirements arise beyond these norms, I will personally ensure that further provisions are made available," the chief minister told the officers, according to PTI.
Meanwhile, the traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar and Kishtwar-Doda national highways was suspended, while dozens of hilly roads were blocked or damaged by landslides or flash floods.