The Mata Vaishno Devi yatra remained suspended for the 12th consecutive day on Saturday due to ongoing bad weather conditions in the region, officials said.
Landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains have blocked roads in the Trikuta Hills, making the pilgrimage route unsafe for pilgrims.
As per the Meteorological Centre of Srinagar, no advisory has been issued for tReasi district till September 8, but the weather department has issued a yellow alert for “thunderstorms, lightning and squalls” for September 8-9.
The yatra was suspended after a landslide on August 26, in which 36 people were killed and 20 others injured. The disaster struck in the afternoon, when heavy rains triggered a massive landslide in Adhkuwari.
The incident had triggered massive outrage, with reports alleging that the Shrine board played with the lives of people by defying the government advisories.
While the board has denied the allegations and said it had already suspended the yatra hours before an advisory was received, critics have pointed to several prior advisories issued by the MeT.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had ordered a high-level team of three members to investigate the causes of the landslide.
The committee has been tasked with carrying out a detailed investigation and submitting its report within two weeks to LG Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), it said.
Also Read: Schools to reopen in Jammu from Sept 10, KU exams postponed
Follow us
