Five pilgrims die of cold at Vaishnodevi, Katra

Jammu, Mar 12 (UNI) At least five pilgrims, including two children, today died of intense cold on their way to Vaishnodevi cave shrine on Trikuta hills at Katra in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district, police sources said.

An unidentified woman, her daughter Sewerani, 28, Manoj Kumar, 7, son of Dhan Lal and Manoj Kumari, 8, daughter of Kanhaiya Lal of Uttar Pradesh reportedly died due to cold at Adh Kuwari, six kms on the Trikuta hill from Katra, police said.

Another person identified as Manohar Madhu Matre of Mumbai died at Ban Ganga in the foothills last night.

Ten other pilgrims were hospitalised due to decline in their health condition because of intense cold, they added.

Meanwhile, fresh snowfall in the upper reaches and incessant rains in the plains across the state have pushed mercury downwards, paralysing normal life.

According to official forecast, the condition will remain the same for the next 24 hours.

UNI