A landslide on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban district on Wednesday blocked the road and suspended the Amarnath Yatra.
Officials said that the landslide occurred at T2 Marog in Ramban district, and that the movement of both yatris (pilgrims) traveling from Jammu to Srinagar and those returning from Srinagar to Jammu has been suspended.
The traffic police have advised people not to travel on NH-44 without confirmation from the traffic control units (TCUs). The clearance work is in progress, and the highway is expected to be reopened soon.
The Amarnath Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine in the Himalayas. The pilgrimage is scheduled to take place from June 30 to August 11 this year.
The landslide is the latest in a series of challenges that have faced the Amarnath Yatra in recent years. In 2019, a cloudburst caused flash floods that killed at least 25 people. In 2020, the pilgrimage was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The authorities are working to ensure the safety of yatris and to minimize the impact of the landslide on the pilgrimage. They have deployed additional forces to the area and are providing food and shelter to the stranded yatris.
The traffic police have also issued an advisory for yatris, advising them to travel only during the day and to avoid traveling in heavy vehicles. They have also advised yatris to carry essential supplies and to be prepared for delays.
