The revered pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir was temporarily suspended on Tuesday after a massive landslide triggered by incessant rainfall claimed the lives of at least 30 pilgrims. The tragedy occurred in Katra, the base camp for the holy shrine, as heavy rains lashed the region for the third consecutive day, worsening weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) officials confirmed that they first closed the Himkoti route late Monday night as rains intensified. With conditions deteriorating further, the board decided to suspend the entire pilgrimage in the interest of devotees’ safety. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway amid challenging weather conditions.
“The safety of pilgrims remains our foremost concern. The yatra will resume once the weather improves,” a Shrine Board spokesperson stated, urging devotees to rely only on official updates and avoid misinformation.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Jammu and Kashmir, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall. The situation has also led to suspension of battery car and helicopter services to the cave shrine before the complete halt of the yatra.
The continuous downpour has disrupted life across the Union Territory. Authorities suspended traffic on the Jammu–Srinagar national highway as landslides and shooting stones hit Ramban district. Several rivers and streams are flowing close to or above the danger mark, inundating low-lying areas and roads.
Located in the Trikuta Mountains near Katra, the Vaishno Devi shrine usually attracts thousands of devotees daily, many of whom undertake a 13-km trek to reach the sacred cave. Authorities have assured that the pilgrimage will restart once weather conditions stabilize.