Jammu, Jul 19 : The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine via the new track has been temporarily halted due to the risk of landslides caused by the heaviest rainfall witnessed in Katra town, Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, in the past 43 years.
The chopper service to the shrine has also been suspended due to the inclement weather. However, pilgrims can still reach the shrine atop Trikuta Hills via the old track, as confirmed by officials on Wednesday.
Anshul Garg, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), informed PTI that the yatra has been suspended on the new track as a precautionary measure against the threat of landslides.
Katra, which serves as the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi shrine, experienced a staggering 315.4 mm of rainfall within a span of 24 hours. The weather department official stated that this rainfall is the highest recorded since 1980, surpassing the 292.4 mm recorded on July 31, 2019.
