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Vaishno Devi Yatra remains suspended for the sixth day after landslides and cloudburst killed 34. SMVDSB cancels all bookings with full refund.
Rain wreaked havoc in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday leading to 30 deaths. (Image: PTI)(News18)
Vaishno Devi Yatra Suspended: The pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi remains suspended for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday, after incessant rainfall continues to hamper the yatra route. On Tuesday, a cloudburst and landslide hit the yatra trek, killing 34 people.
Shrine Board Cancels Bookings
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Meanwhile, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has announced that all the bookings of helicopter services (Katra to Bhawan), ropeway (Bhawan to Bhairon Ghati), hotels, and others have been cancelled with 100% refund till the yatra remains suspended.
In a post on X, the shrine board said that the pilgrims can send their cancellation requests with details to refund@maavaishnodevi.net. It further said that the earlier self-cancellations will get a pending refund within 15 days.
“All bookings cancelled with 100% refund till yatra is suspended. Send cancellation requests with details to refund@maavaishnodevi.net Earlier self-cancellations will get pending refund within 15 days. For queries, contact SMVDSB Call Centre @ 18001807212/ +91 9906019494,” the SMVDSB said on X.
All bookings cancelled with 100% refund till yatra is suspended. Send cancellation requests with details to refund@maavaishnodevi.netEarlier self-cancellations will get pending refund within 15 days.For queries, contact SMVDSB Call Centre @ 18001807212/ +91 9906019494.— Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (@OfficialSMVDSB) August 31, 2025
Vaishno Devi Landslide
A devastating landslide occurred on the yatra trek on Tuesday, which claimed the lives over 30 people and left 20 others injured. The disaster struck in the afternoon around 3 pm when heavy rains triggered a massive landslide near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkuwari, about halfway along the 12-kilometre trek from Katra to the holy cave atop Trikuta hills.
Questions were raised about why the Vaishno Devi Yatra was not suspended when there was a warning about heavy rain.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, said that the Yatra was stopped before the cloudburst hit the track at Adhkuwari.
He has also ordered the constitution of a high-level three-member committee to investigate the causes of the landslide.
Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Jal Shakti, Jammu and Kashmir, will head the committee, which includes the Divisional Commissioner and the Inspector General of Police, Jammu.
The committee has been tasked with conducting 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.
This is the second time in the last two weeks that a Yatra was hit by a cloudburst and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir. Over 100 pilgrims were killed, and several are still missing after a cloudburst hit the Machail Yatra in Kishtwar district on August 14.
The order has stated that the Committee shall examine in detail the causes and reasons behind the incident and point out any lapses, assess responses in the form of rescue and relief measures undertaken, and suggest appropriate SOPs and measures for preventing recurrence of such incidents in the future, the order said.
Vaishno Devi Temple
Vaishno Devi is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, located in the Trikuta hills of Jammu and Kashmir. The holy cave shrine is dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of the Divine Mother Goddess. The journey to the shrine is a trek of approximately 13 km from the base camp in Katra.
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
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