The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Monday as a precautionary measure due to persistent heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions in the region.
Authorities said the pilgrimage has been temporarily halted to ensure the safety of devotees, as continuous rain over the past two days has heightened the risk of landslides and other rain-related hazards along the pilgrimage routes.
Officials are closely monitoring the weather situation, and the yatra will resume once conditions improve and the routes are declared safe for pilgrims.
The suspension comes amid widespread rain-related disruption across Jammu and Kashmir. On Sunday. Rescue teams comprising the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continued search operations for those reported missing.
Confirming the death toll, Block Medical Officer of Sub-District Hospital, Surankote, Mohd Yousf said seven deaths had been confirmed in the area.
“Regarding the calamity and storm that struck the entire district, including Surankote, Rajouri, and the state, we have confirmed seven deaths in Surankote so far. There are several people still reported missing; we are yet to ascertain the exact number. Rescue operations are currently underway near the stream,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to review the situation arising from incessant rainfall, flash floods and landslides in Poonch and Rajouri districts, and to assess the administration’s preparedness across the Union Territory.
The meeting reviewed the prevailing weather conditions, the impact of heavy rainfall and measures being taken by various departments to ensure public safety, restore essential services and provide relief to affected families.
Emphasising coordinated action, Abdullah directed all district administrations to keep control rooms operational round the clock, maintain constant vigilance and ensure timely dissemination of information for an effective emergency response.
“Coordination cannot be emphasised enough,” the Chief Minister said.
(With ANI inputs)
