Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], August 29 : The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra in Katra remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day on Friday after heavy rainfall triggered multiple landslides in the region. The disruption left many devotees stranded, forcing several to return without having darshan of the shrine. Among those affected, devotees expressed their sorrow and offered prayers for the injured and deceased.
Speaking to ANI, a devotee named Sushil Singh said, "We, around 18-20 people, come here to take part in the Vaishno Devi Yatra. We do this every year. Today is our third day here, and so far, we haven't had darshan of Maa. Now, we are returning. According to the information we received, it may take two days, but that is not certain... May Maa heal those who are injured..."
Another devotee, Ballu Balram, who had travelled with around 60 others, said, "Along with me, around 50-60 travellers come here by bus. When we arrived, we learnt about the situation on TV. Many people lost their lives on Trikuta Mountain. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. May Maa give them a place at her feet and also give strength to their family members to endure the pain. We are sad that despite reaching here, we have to return without having Maa's darshan..."
Meanwhile, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra remains suspended for the fourth consecutive day following landslides triggered by incessant rainfall in the area.
On Wednesday, the Katra Hotel Association in Jammu and Kashmir announced that it would provide free accommodation to pilgrims and those in need who are stranded following a devastating landslide on the route of the Vaishno Devi Yatra.
Speaking to ANI, Rakesh Wazir, President of the Katra Hotel Association, stated that the association has decided to provide free accommodation to all needy people for 2-4 days or until they need it.
He said, "The Hotel Association has decided that all the needy people will be given free accommodation for 2-4 days, till they want. For those who are stuck here, we will provide them with free accommodation. If they go to a hotel and it is full, they just need to call us at our control room, and we will allocate them a hotel so that no one is left without having darshan. The need at this time is that we stand with them in this hour of grief and support, and we are with them..."
Meanwhile, a devastating landslide occurred near the Vaishno Devi temple in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district, claiming more than 30 lives and injuring 20 others. The disaster struck on Tuesday 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 shrine.
Eighteen trains were cancelled due to the suspension of traffic on the down line between Pathankot Cantt and Kandrori following soil erosion and flash floods in the Chakki river, officials said.