Overview

• The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board announced on X that the pilgrimage will be suspended from October 5 to 7, with updates to be shared through official channels.
• The India Meteorological Department forecasts an active western disturbance bringing widespread rain and higher‑reach snow, with peak activity from the night of October 5 to the morning of October 7.
• Officials call the pause a precaution against potential landslides, flooding and cloudbursts and urge devotees to delay travel to Katra and rely on verified advisories.
• Heightened caution follows the August 26 landslide that killed 34 and injured about 20, with authorities increasing monitoring of vulnerable stretches, deploying rescue teams and issuing frequent updates.
• Kishtwar district also suspended the Machail Mata pilgrimage for the same dates based on the IMD advisory.