Vaishno Devi Yatra Halted as Heavy Rain Batters Jammu

Torrential rains in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday prompted authorities to suspend the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage. The yatra has been paused until further directions, with the India Meteorological Department placing the Union Territory under a red alert. Earlier, services like battery cars and helicopters for devotees to reach the shrine were halted, though the traditional walking route had remained open. However, with worsening weather, the entire pilgrimage had to be suspended.

Heavy rains disrupt travel and daily life

For the third consecutive day, heavy rain has disrupted daily life in Jammu, and officials have closed the Jammu-Srinagar national highway because of the relentless downpour. Almost all rivers and streams are flowing either above or close to danger levels, flooding several low-lying areas and submerging roads across the city. The Vaishno Devi temple stands in the Trikuta hills near Katra in Reasi district, where devotees generally undertake a 13-kilometre journey on foot from Katra to the sacred cave.Meanwhile, traffic movement along the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar highway was stopped as a safety measure after landslides and stone-falling incidents at Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma in Ramban district. Reports have also come in about damage to roads and infrastructure in the higher regions of Kishtwar, Doda, and Rajouri.

Government steps up response

Earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the situation in several areas of Jammu has become very serious after the continuous rainfall. He instructed officials to remain on high alert and also reviewed flood control measures. Abdullah further directed that extra funds be provided to deputy commissioners to deal with emergency restoration work and other urgent needs. Officials reported that water levels in the Taranah, Ujh, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, Ravi, and their tributaries in Kathua district are rising steadily and approaching the danger mark. In Udhampur, the Tawi river has already crossed the 20-foot danger level, while in Jammu it is flowing above the alert line. The Chenab river too is nearing the warning point in the region.

IMD issues red alert; people warned

The meteorological department reports that over the 24 hours ended at 8:30 am on Tuesday, the Kathua district received the most rainfall, 155.6 mm.In the same time frame, the measurements from Katra were 68.8 mm, Jammu 81.5 mm, and Bhaderwah in Doda 99.8 mm. Heavy rainfall has been predicted in several districts, such as Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar, and residents have been urged to keep away from rivers, streams, and areas prone to landslides.