The pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi has been temporarily suspended after heavy and continuous rainfall lashed the region since late last night. Officials from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) confirmed that the Himkoti route was the first to be closed as the downpour intensified, before the entire yatra was halted for safety reasons.
A Shrine Board spokesperson stated that the safety of devotees remains the top priority, and the yatra will only resume once weather conditions improve and the situation is deemed safe. The temporary suspension is expected to last only a few hours, depending on the rainfall and road conditions.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for multiple districts in the Jammu region, including Kathua, Samba, Doda, Jammu, Ramban, and Kishtwar. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents.
