Katra (Jammu): Helicopter services to the Vaishno Devi shrine were suspended throughout the day on Monday due to dense cloud cover and fog over Katra and the Trikuta Hills, causing significant inconvenience to hundreds of pilgrims. All flights between Katra and Sanjichhat were cancelled due to poor visibility.
Heavy cloud cover from early morning led to thick fog across higher altitudes of the Trikuta Mountains, severely affecting helicopter operations. The disruption was especially challenging for elderly devotees, families with young children, and those with health conditions who had specifically opted for the helicopter service.
Ramesh Kumar, a pilgrim from Delhi, shared his experience: “We had booked helicopter tickets for my elderly parents, but there was no clear communication in the morning. We eventually had to start the journey on foot.”
Several devotees who had made online bookings remained in uncertainty for most of the day. While some were forced to cancel their plans, others reluctantly chose to trek up to the shrine.
Weather Advisory and Shrine Board Response
The Meteorological Department has forecast similar weather conditions for the next 24 to 48 hours. In view of this, the local administration and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have advised pilgrims to plan their journey based on updated weather information and to exercise caution.
The Shrine Board assured devotees that helicopter services will resume promptly once weather conditions improve. Additionally, it confirmed that all passengers whose flights were cancelled will either receive a full refund or be accommodated in the next available slot.
