The pilgrimage to the sacred cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir has remained suspended for the 11th consecutive day on Friday. The suspension was enforced on August 26 after a devastating landslide struck Adhkuwari in the Trikuta hills, claiming the lives of 34 pilgrims and leaving 20 others injured.

Despite a significant improvement in weather conditions, with bright sunshine following nearly ten days of torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides, officials have yet to announce a decision on resuming the yatra. “The pilgrimage remains suspended as per the decision taken last week in view of pilgrim safety,” an official confirmed. He further added that the yatra would only restart once all aspects are carefully reviewed and conditions are deemed completely safe.

This disruption is now the longest suspension of the Vaishno Devi yatra since the Covid-19 restrictions, underscoring the authorities’ focus on protecting devotees and undertaking extensive restoration work. Repair efforts are currently underway to restore damaged sections of the pilgrimage track and rehabilitate commercial establishments in the Katra region, which serves as the base camp for the shrine.

Meanwhile, local train services connecting Jammu and Katra, which were introduced to provide mobility for locals and stranded passengers in the wake of the disaster, have also been suspended. Authorities maintain that both the yatra and transport services will only resume after comprehensive safety assessments are completed, ensuring that no further risks are posed to pilgrims and residents alike.