Katra: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has temporarily suspended the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in Katra and the Trikuta Hills due to deteriorating weather conditions across the region. The administrative decision was enacted as a precautionary safety measure following severe overnight rainfall and a high-alert advisory from the India Meteorological Department. The track remains closed to all forward movement from the Katra base camp to prevent any weather-related mishaps along the mountainous routes.
Disappointed devotees who travelled from far-off states, including Gujarat and Odisha, have been forced to halt their journeys, with many resorting to offering prayers from the base town. Several stranded travellers expressed logistical concerns, noting that high hotel tariffs and fixed travel itineraries make it difficult to sustain a four-to-five-day delay as suggested by local advisories. Shrine board officials and local authorities are continuously monitoring the situation on the ground, advising all registered pilgrims to check official communication channels for updates on route safety before planning further movement.
The current weather system has caused widespread disruptions across the Union Territory, leading to the simultaneous suspension of the ongoing 57-day Amarnath Yatra along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes. The meteorological department has issued severe subdivision-wise warnings predicting extremely heavy downpours, intense thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls over the next 48 hours, followed by continued heavy showers. Regional disaster management teams remain on high alert as the administration prioritises passenger safety amid heightened risks of flash floods and landslides in the hilly terrains.
