Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the recent landslide on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route. The panel will be headed by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department and is expected to submit its report within two weeks. The disaster, which struck on Tuesday in the Trikuta Hills, claimed the lives of 34 devotees and left more than 20 others injured.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the natural disaster that occurred on 26 August. Responding to media reports alleging negligence, the Board firmly rejected claims that the pilgrimage continued despite weather warnings. Officials clarified that the weather remained clear and favorable for the yatra until 10 am on the day of the incident, with helicopter services also operating normally.
According to the Shrine Board, all necessary safety measures were in place under its Standard Operating Procedures, including deployment of enforcement staff and disaster management forces along the route. As soon as forecasts indicated moderate rainfall, new registrations were suspended. While many pilgrims had already completed their journey and returned safely to Katra, several chose to stay in designated shelters along the old track, considered one of the safest sections.
Authorities further noted that the new route via Tarakot had already been closed on 24 August due to landslide risks. The old track, typically regarded as stable, was kept open for movement until a special weather warning was issued around noon on 26 August. The landslide struck unexpectedly at Indraprastha Bhojanalaya on this track, following a sudden cloudburst at 2:40 pm. Officials confirmed that no such incident had ever been recorded at this spot before, making the tragedy both unforeseen and unprecedented.
