On Tuesday, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi yatra was suspended amid heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for the region..
Battery car and helicopter services to the cave shrine were stopped earlier in the day. Although the devotees continued to track, the yatra was later suspended completely. The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is located in the Trikuta Mountains near Katra in the Reasi district. Devotees have to trek for 13 km from Katra to reach it.
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Roads, Rivers Overflowing
The authorities also closed the 250 km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway amid the heavy rainfall for the third day straight. Officials reported landslides and stone shooting at Ramban’s Chanderkote, Kela Morh, and Battery Cheshma.
Several rivers and streams are approaching the danger mark in the region, causing floods in low-lying areas. Rivers including Ujh, Taranah, Ravi, and their tributaries have been swelling dangerously in Kathua. The Tawi River in Udhampur has crossed the 20-feet danger mark, while the Chenab is approaching danger levels in Jammu.
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Administration on High Alert
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah addressed the seriousness of the situation across Jammu and ordered the administration to stay on high alert, strengthen flood-control measures, and supply emergency funds for relief work.
Kathua recorded the highest rainfall at 155.6 mm in 24 hours, followed by Bhaderwah in Doda (99.8 mm), Jammu (81.5 mm), and Katra (68.8 mm). The officials have asked the people to stay away from the rivers and landslide-prone regions until the situation improves.
