Landslide blocks Vaishno Devi pilgrimage track, battery car service halted

A rain‑triggered landslide struck the new track to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine near Himkoti on the Trikuta Hills in Katra, Jammu, on the evening of July 8, 2026. The slide forced the temporary suspension of the battery‑car service that transports pilgrims, while officials deployed men and machines to clear the debris.

Despite the blockage, the yatra to the shrine continued via the older route, with hundreds of pilgrims proceeding on foot. Local authorities advised caution, issued travel advisories and are assessing the damage to restore full service as soon as possible.