Jammu, Aug 29: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the landslide triggered by a sudden cloudburst near Inderprastha Bhojanalaya on August 26, while rejecting allegations that the yatra was allowed to proceed in disregard of weather advisories.
The Board clarified that weather conditions had remained clear until 10 am on the day of the incident, with helicopter services operating normally. Registrations were suspended once moderate rainfall was forecast, and yatra was completely halted by noon.
The landslide struck around 2:40 pm at a stretch on the old track, which the Board said had never been prone to such disasters in the past. “It was an unpredictable and unprecedented force majeure event,” the Board stated, adding that immediate rescue operations were launched with the support of the District Administration, Police, CRPF, Army, NDRF, SDRF, and volunteers.
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Eighteen injured pilgrims were evacuated and given specialized treatment at the Shrine Board’s hospital in Kakryal, while stranded devotees were safely moved to Katra by evening.
Reiterating that pilgrim safety remains its top priority, SMVDSB said it had acted strictly in line with weather advisories and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families, assuring all possible support.
