With no let up in rains in the region, Shuttle Operations of four trains between Jammu and Katra, launched on September 1 to support residents and stranded passengers, were suspended on Wednesday due to flooding. A landslide hit the track of Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage today but no casualties were reported as Yatra continues to remain suspended.
Launched on September 1, the Jammu to Katra shuttle trains had been planned to continue until September 15. Long-distance trains from New Delhi to Katra have also been curtailed temporarily.Rail traffic in the Jammu division has remained suspended for nine consecutive days following track misalignments and breaches caused by flash floods and incessant rain on August 26 along the Pathankot to Jammu section.
However, in order to ease the situation, the Railways have deployed special services, transporting 5,784 passengers over the past four days. The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage remains on hold for the ninth straight day after a fatal landslide near Katra on August 26 claimed 34 lives. Shuttle services of four trains were introduced to help locals and stranded passengers travel between Jammu and Katra – the base camp of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine as there are a number of passengers stranded in the holy town.
“The shuttle services between Jammu and Katra, which was started to facilitate the movement of daily passengers and stranded persons, have been cancelled today,” a Railway official said. This step was taken in view of heavy rains and flooding of the track, he said.
Meanwhile, a landslide on Wednesday hit the track of the suspended pilgrimage to the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district, officials said, adding that no casualties were reported.
Authorities have also vacated the accommodations of officials as a precautionary measure in the wake of heavy rainfall and the threat of landslides, officials mentioned further.The landslide occurred at the Sammar Point of the track, thereby blocking the route to the shrine. However, there was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the incident, as there were no pilgrims. Efforts are on to clear the debris.The pilgrimage remained suspended for the ninth day on Wednesday, leaving the Katra base camp deserted in the absence of devotees.
Over the past four days, a total of 5,784 stranded passengers have been ferried in seven special trains.The region had faced severe disruption of both rail and road traffic due to incessant rainfall since August 26, with many pilgrims getting stranded.A landslide near the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra claimed 34 lives on August 26. The pilgrimage remained suspended for the ninth day on Wednesday.Last Wednesday, Jammu recorded its heaviest rainfall since 1910 at 380mm.
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