(Image source from: PTI)
Heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir resulted to halt the Vaishno Devi Yatra. Five people were killed and three went missing in the floods and mudslides. There is a heavy downpour across Jammu and Kashmir for the past 24 hours.
The pilgrims of Amarnath and Vaishno Devi were stopped at Pahalgam and Trikuti hills because of the weather. As a precautionary measure to ensure that no harm happens to the Pilgrims. 3,746 devotees were headed to Pahalgam and 2,777 pilgrims were shifted to Baltal base camp in more than 250 vehicles of the convoy. The shorter trek to Amarnath is preferably Baltal near Sonamarg on Srinagar Leh road. From the base camp to the cave, pilgrims need to trek for 14 km to get the darshan to sacred Shri Amarnath Shiva Lingam made up of ice, which is located at an altitude of 3,888 meters (12,756 ft), which is 141 km from Srinagar. According to official reports, 14,000 pilgrims will visit Amarnath every day. Another batch of 6,000 members is ready to start their journey from Srinagar today.
On the flip side, Kathua, Rajouri, Kishtwar and Doda districts have shut down their schools as well. After many landslides and mudslides in the residential areas, rescue operations are underway in both the Srinagar and Jammu districts.
