Landslide disrupts Vaishno Devi Yatra; pilgrims diverted via alternate route

Katra August 15 2024 : A landslide occurred on the Shree Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route near southern Deori in Jammu, causing a temporary disruption for pilgrims. The incident, which took place amid heavy rainfall in the region, did not result in any injuries. Following the landslide, the Yatra has resumed via an alternate route, with Shrine Board officials closely monitoring the situation at the affected site. The heavy rainfall in the area has led to increased vigilance to ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that Jammu and Kashmir experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas over the past 24 hours. Katra, at the base of the Trikuta Hill where the Vaishno Devi shrine is located, recorded 13 cm of rainfall. The IMD forecasts continued rainfall across the Jammu division until August 16. Earlier today, a cloudburst in Bandipora district triggered a flash flood, submerging several areas. Fortunately, there were no reports of casualties.

Weather conditions are expected to remain unsettled. The Srinagar Meteorological Centre has issued an advisory predicting light to moderate rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir. Similar weather is anticipated through August 16-20. The IMD also forecasts fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and scattered to fairly widespread rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan over the next several days.