Vaishno Devi Yatra resumed

The Vaishno Devi Yatra, which was closed on Monday following heavy rainfall and snowfall, resumed on Tuesday afternoon. Nearly 5,000 pilgrims stranded at Adhkunwari and Bhawan reached the cave shrine. With the sky clearing and weather conditions improving, the Yatra was resumed at about 3.45 pm today,8221; said Puneet Kumar, the additional Chief Executive Officer of Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board.

Earlier in the day, the board had announced suspension of the yatra for 24 hours till Wednesday morning in view of the snow and rainfall that had claimed five lives on Monday. There were heavy rains this morning too.

Kumar said once the stranded pilgrims in Adhkuwari and Bhawan numbering about 5,000 and another 10,000 pilgrims stranded at Katra pay their homage, the base camp would be opened to the public provided the weather didn8217;t wrap up again. Meanwhile, all the 15 pilgrims, who were hospitalised after they fell ill due to the intense cold, are said to be out of danger and recovering slowly. Three-feet snowfall was recorded for the first time this season at Bhawan, the abode of Mata Vaishnodevi while over 6 ft snow was recorded at Bhairo Ghati and adjoining areas in the Trikuta hills since last night, Kumar said.