Srinagar, Aug. 27 -- Internet and mobile services across Jammu and Kashmir were restored Wednesday afternoon after a 24-hour outage, even as the region reeled from relentless rains, flash floods and a deadly landslide that killed at least 32 pilgrims on the Vaishno Devi shrine trek.

The disaster struck Adhkuwari, a midway point on the 12-km route to the hilltop temple, around 3 p.m. Tuesday, injuring 20 others and trapping several devotees under debris. Rescue teams continue to battle treacherous terrain and downpours to locate survivors.

The communications blackout, caused by damage to optical fibre lines, left millions without phone or internet access at a critical moment, hampering coordination of relief efforts.

For four straight d...