At least several people were killed and many others injured after a passenger bus rolled down a hill in Udhampur district on Monday, officials said.

The accident occurred in the Ramnagar area when the vehicle lost control while negotiating a sharp curve and plunged into a deep gorge. Initial reports suggest the bus was carrying passengers from a remote village towards Udhampur town.

According to officials, multiple casualties have been reported, while several injured passengers have been rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals. Many of the injured are said to be in serious condition.

Local residents were among the first to reach the accident site and began rescue efforts before police and emergency teams arrived. Authorities later joined the operation, evacuating victims and clearing the wreckage.

Rescue teams are continuing operations at the site, and arrangements are being made to provide advanced medical care to critically injured passengers. In some cases, efforts are underway to shift seriously injured victims for specialised treatment.

Officials are yet to confirm the exact cause of the accident, though preliminary information indicates that the bus may have lost control on a difficult stretch of the hilly road.

The incident has once again raised concerns over road safety in mountainous regions, where narrow roads and sharp turns often pose significant risks.

Heavy rainfall in Guwahati has led to widespread waterlogging, severely affecting daily life and prompting authorities to shut schools across the city on Monday.

The downpour, which intensified overnight on April 19, inundated several low-lying areas including Hatigaon and Anil Nagar. Streets were submerged, disrupting traffic movement and leaving commuters stranded in multiple parts of the city.

Due to the deteriorating situation, the district administration ordered the closure of all government and private educational institutions within the Guwahati Municipal Corporation area for April 20. The decision was taken as a precautionary measure following flash floods triggered by continuous rainfall.

Residents reported that roads quickly turned into streams as drainage systems struggled to cope with the volume of rainwater. In some areas, water entered homes, while vehicles moved slowly through flooded streets, causing long traffic snarls.

Officials have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay alert as more rainfall is expected. Emergency services remain on standby to respond to any further escalation of the situation.

The recurring issue of waterlogging has once again raised concerns over urban infrastructure and drainage capacity in the city, with locals highlighting the frequent disruptions caused by even short spells of heavy rain.

Portals of Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines open amid rituals and chants, marking the start of the annual pilgrimage season

The annual Char Dham Yatra commenced on Sunday with the opening of the portals of the Gangotri and Yamunotri temples in Uttarakhand, signalling the start of one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages.

The temple doors were opened on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya after remaining closed during the winter months. The Gangotri shrine opened at around 12:15 pm, followed by the Yamunotri temple at approximately 12:35 pm, accompanied by traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic hymns.

A large number of devotees gathered at both shrines to witness the ceremonial opening and offer prayers. The occasion was marked by religious fervour, with pilgrims raising devotional slogans as the temples reopened for the public after nearly six months.

The Char Dham Yatra, which holds immense spiritual significance, attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year to the Himalayan shrines of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The opening of these first two temples traditionally marks the beginning of the pilgrimage season.

The pilgrimage will continue in phases, with the Kedarnath temple scheduled to open on April 22, followed by the Badrinath temple on April 23, completing the Char Dham circuit for devotees this season.

Authorities have made arrangements for the smooth conduct of the yatra, including security deployment and essential facilities for pilgrims along the routes.