At least 30 people were killed and many others injured after torrential monsoon rains triggered a massive landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in the Katra area of Indian-occupied Kashmir, local officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The disaster struck on Tuesday afternoon, burying parts of the pilgrimage route under tons of debris and forcing authorities to suspend the annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Vaishno Devi Temple, one of the region’s most significant religious sites.

Local officials confirmed that disaster relief teams, security forces, and local volunteers have been deployed to the site, working around the clock to clear rubble and search for survivors.

The landslide adds to the devastation already caused by this year’s intense monsoon season across the Himalayan belt, which has left hundreds dead or missing in India and Pakistan over the past several weeks.

Telecommunications in Indian-administered Kashmir have been described as “almost nonexistent,” further complicating relief operations, according to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who spoke to Reuters. Meanwhile, Indian Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh stated on X that efforts are underway to restore electricity, water, and mobile networks, with repair crews working overnight.

The impact of the heavy rains has not been confined to Kashmir. Floodwaters have destroyed bridges, highways, and homes across the wider region. With major rivers swollen to dangerous levels, India has opened the floodgates of several dams, prompting downstream flooding warnings to Pakistan. In turn, Pakistani authorities have begun evacuating tens of thousands of residents from flood-prone areas as a precautionary measure.

With forecasts predicting further rainfall, the humanitarian crisis across the Himalayan region remains dire. Rescue teams continue to search for survivors in Katra while authorities warn that more landslides and floods could follow in the coming days. (ILKHA)