Vaishnodevi Yatra suspended on second consecutive day

Jammu, Sep 5: Yatra to Mata Vaishnodevi cave shrine has been suspended for second consecutive day on Friday in view of heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir as authorities said the pilgrimage would be resumed only after the weather improves.

"Yatra to cave shrine remained suspended for second day today in view of bad weather conditions", officials of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVSB) said.

Keeping in view the safety of pilgrims in the wake of incessant torrential rainfall and also considering the weather fore

cast, yatra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine from Katra has been temporarily suspended till further notice, a spokesman of Board said. The Yatra was temporarily suspended from 4.00 PM onwards yesterday in view of heavy rain in the state.

"Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji from Katra onwards continues to remain under suspension today also keeping in view the safety of pilgrims in the wake of continuing rains and the closure of the track due to landslides at various places", he added.

Dr Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SMVSB, said here today that the decision about resumption of the Yatra will be taken only after the weather improves and, as such, advised the intending pilgrims to replan their schedule for undertaking the pilgrimage accordingly.

There were three more landslides on track to the cave shrine today due to heavy rains as authorities braving the heavy rains and bad weather conditions are working to clear the track, officials said.

Over 4000 pilgrims, who were stranded at Bhawan and other places have been shifted to safer places.

Yesterday, three pilgrims, who were on their way to Bhawan for paying obeisance, were hit by a landslide and shooting stones near Adhkuwari on the track, resulting in injuries to them. They were later hospitalised, officials said.

PTI