Katra (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 22 : Katra, the base camp of the revered Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, wears a deserted look as the Yatra remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day due to prevailing adverse weather conditions in the region.
The pilgrimage has remained suspended as a precautionary measure amid inclement weather, affecting the movement of devotees towards the holy cave shrine. The suspension has resulted in a significant decline in pilgrim movement across Katra, which otherwise remains bustling with devotees throughout the day.
Pilgrims have been advised to remain updated with official advisories and avoid proceeding towards the Yatra routes until the pilgrimage is formally resumed.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra is expected to resume once weather conditions improve.
Meanwhile, traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44) has been suspended due to heavy and incessant rainfall, triggering mudslides and shooting stones at multiple locations along the highway.
No vehicles are being allowed to proceed from either Qazigund in Kashmir or Udhampur towards Ramban amid the adverse weather conditions.
The region has been witnessing rainfall for the past two days.
Heavy rainfall also lashed Bhalesa in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, causing rivers, streams and drains to swell and damaging houses, crops and agricultural land. Amid flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides, the administrations of Doda and Kishtwar have urged people to avoid high-altitude, landslide-prone and riverbank areas until weather conditions improve.
Meanwhile, thick fog enveloped the mountains of Ramban following heavy rainfall across the region, causing a noticeable drop in temperature. The continuous rain has transformed the surrounding hills into mist-covered vistas, while low-hanging clouds and dense fog reduced visibility in several areas.
The continuous rainfall in Reasi and upper catchment areas has triggered a surge in water inflow into the Salal reservoir, prompting authorities to open all gates of the dam to regulate the rising water level.