LANDSLIDE ON JAMMU-SRINAGAR HIGHWAY BLOCKS AMARNATH YATRA

A landslide on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district on Monday blocked the road and suspended the ongoing Amarnath Yatra. The landslide occurred in the Kunfer area of Chanderkote, disrupting traffic movement in both lanes of the highway.

The Amarnath Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir, began on June 30 this year and is scheduled to end on August 11. The yatra was suspended on Monday after the landslide blocked the highway.

The authorities have deployed JCB machines and other heavy machinery to clear the landslide debris and restore traffic movement on the highway. However, it is not clear when the highway will be cleared and the yatra will resume.

In the meantime, the pilgrims who are stranded on the highway are being provided food and shelter by the authorities. The pilgrims are also being advised to stay in touch with the authorities for updates on the road clearance operation.

The landslide is the latest in a series of landslides that have hit the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in recent years. The highway is prone to landslides due to its mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall.

The authorities have been working to improve the safety of the highway, but landslides continue to be a major challenge. The latest landslide is a reminder of the risks involved in the Amarnath Yatra and the need for pilgrims to be prepared for the possibility of road closures.

The suspension of the Amarnath Yatra is a major inconvenience for the pilgrims who have been planning their journey for months. It is also a financial loss for the local businesses that rely on the yatra for income.

The authorities are working to clear the landslide debris as quickly as possible, but it is likely that the yatra will be suspended for several days. In the meantime, the pilgrims are being advised to stay calm and follow the instructions of the authorities.