Four people, including three pilgrims were killed while 10 others were injured near Adhkuwari late on Friday night after landslides triggered by heavy downpour hit them while they were undertaking the holy trek to perform prayers inside the holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, nestled in Trikuta Hills.
Due to prevailing bad weather conditions Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board authorities have decided to suspend the yatra for the time being and monitoring the weather conditions on ground zero.
Meanwhile, both the shrine board authorities and the State Government have announced compensation of Rs 3 lakh and Rs 4 lakh respectively to the next of kin of the deceased.
Eyewitness reports claimed due to heavy rains the pilgrims had taken shelter near Vandna view point near Adhkuwari around 11.00 pm. In few seconds the yatri shelter point was buried under big landslides with a loud thud.
Three pilgrims identified as Shashi Dhar from Banglore, Bindu Sawhney and her son Vishal (both from Chattisgarh) died on the spot while a local identified as Mohd Sadiq from Akhnoor succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.The injured were rushed to the Katra hospital by the shrine board authorities. Senior shrine board authorities in Katra also visited the injured pilgrims and inquired about their well being and provided all possible assistance.