Srinagar: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the eighth consecutive day on Tuesday as persistent rainfall, landslides, and flash floods continued to batter the Trikuta hills in Reasi district.
Authorities have stopped the movement of pilgrims from the Katra base camp as a precaution, leaving the shrine town and adjoining areas deserted while devotees await the resumption of the pilgrimage. Restoration work on damaged tracks and roads is currently underway.
The yatra was first suspended on August 27 after a massive landslide triggered by heavy rain killed 34 people. In response, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered a high-level inquiry to determine the causes of the tragedy.
The three-member committee, headed by Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, also includes the Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police, Jammu. It has been tasked with investigating lapses, assessing the rescue and relief response, and recommending measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The panel has two weeks to submit its report to LG Sinha, who also chairs the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir continues to reel under heavy rainfall and rain-induced landslides. On Monday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the region, holding a high-level review meeting at Raj Bhavan in Jammu with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, LG Manoj Sinha, Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma, and senior officials. Shah also conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit areas and inspected the damaged 4th Tawi bridge before meeting affected residents in Mangu Chak village.
