Heavy rainfall triggered flash floods near Vaishno Devi Shrine in Katra town of JK’s Reasi district.
Officials said that all devotees are safe and evacuated to safer places. However, the flash floods have disrupted the movement of devotees.
Katra town witnessed heavy rainfall late Friday night forcing the temple authorities to stop the upward movement of devotees for a few hours.
Official sources told news agency Kashmir News Trust that only yatris from Bhawan to Katra were allowed to return to Katra. Many yatris had to return midway from Adhkumari after the yatra was stopped.
They said during heavy rains, thousands of pilgrims were present on the temple premises.
“In the wake of heavy rainfall, upward movement of pilgrims to Vaishno Devi temple has been stopped from Katra. Priority is given to pilgrims coming downwards. Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have already been deployed. The situation is being monitored. No untoward incident reported so far,” said Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Public announcements were being made to avoid any confusion, an official said.
They said the situation turned normal on Saturday and yatra was resumed in pre-dawn hours. (KNT)