Overview

• The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said the pilgrimage will pause from October 5 to 7 based on an India Meteorological Department advisory on very heavy rain.
• Operations are slated to resume on October 8 if conditions improve, with devotees urged to check only official channels for updates.
• Authorities asked pilgrims not to travel to Katra during the suspension because of the risk of landslides, flooding, and cloudbursts.
• Safety steps include regular checks on vulnerable stretches of the track, deployment of additional rescue teams, and frequent communications for visitors.
• The yatra previously stopped for 22 days after the August 26 landslide that killed 34 and injured about 20, then saw over 1.7 lakh visits during Navratri after reopening on September 17.