Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 6: Yatra to Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine has been suspended for third consecutive day today in view of heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir as authorities said the pilgrimage would be resumed only after the weather improves.
"Yatra to cave shrine remained suspended for third day today in view of heavy rains and bad weather conditions", officials of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) said. Keeping in view safety of pilgrims in the wake of incessant torrential rainfall and also considering the weather forecast, Yatra to the Shrine from Katra-the base camp, has been temporarily suspended till further notice, a spokesman of the Board said.
The Yatra was temporarily suspended from 4.00 PM onwards on September 4 in view of heavy rain in the state. "Yatra to the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji from Katra onwards continues to remain under suspension today also keeping in view the safety of pilgrims in the wake of continuing rains and the closure of the track due to landslides at various places", he said.
Mandeep K Bhandari, Chief Executive Officer, SMVSB, said here today that the decision about resumption of the Yatra will be taken only after the weather improves and, as such, advised the intending pilgrims to replan their schedule for undertaking the pilgrimage accordingly. Over 4000 pilgrims, who were stranded at Bhawan and other places have been shifted to safer places.
Meanwhile, Northern Railway today cancelled train services to Katra due to heavy floods and breaches on tracks between Jammu and Katra section. Besides the gushing of flood waters, heavy boulders had fallen on tracks at certain places in the Jammu-Udhampur-Mata Vaishno Devi Katra rail section, a senior Northern Railway official said. As a result, train services to Katra have been cancelled, he said.
Five train services - three between New Delhi and Katra and one each between Jammu and Udhampur, and Anand Vihar and Udhampur - have been cancelled. Train services between Pathankot and Katra, Katra and Jammu slated for tomorrow have also been cancelled. |
