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Landslides hit Vaishno Devi yatra, pilgrim dies

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 12/30/2012 2:08:19 AM

JAMMU, Dec 29: A Vaishno Devi pilgrim dies of landslides triggered by heavy rains that lashed the region last night while the pilgrimage on the track remain affected for at-least four hours, today.
Official reports said that a Vaishno Devi pilgrim dies of landslides triggered by heavy rains. The deceased has been identified as Ravi Tokas, son of Daya Ram Tokas resident of Delhi.
It was learnt that Tokas was walking on the track near Ardhkuwari when all of sudden landslide occurred. He was buried under the debris while other pilgrims have narrow escape. The shrine board authorities partially stopped the pilgrimage at Ardkuwari at 10 AM today and the victim was brought out of the debris by the rescue party. He was shifted to Dispensary Ardhkuwari where he was pronounced as brought dead by the doctors.
However, the authorities started the pilgrimage via old track of Ardhkuwari and stopped the yatra via new route. The new route was made viable at 2 PM after clearance of debris. This incident, however, created panic among the pilgrims.
The helicopter service to holy shrine from Katra has also been suspended since last three days due to inclement weather conditions.
The cave shrine in Trikuta Hills experienced heavy snowfall last night.