Jammu, Jan 8:  In wake of landslides due to the present weather conditions, seven Vaishno Devi pilgrims were injured on their way to shrine forcing the authorities to suspend the Yatra till the improvement in weather.
 Following heavy snowfall at Bhawan and Ard Kanwari, the Yatra to cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi has been suspended, officials said. “No pilgrim has been allowed to proceed towards the cave shrine, keeping in view the slippery condition at many places along the 13-km long track,” they said.
 Reports from Doda and Kishtwar districts said that the snowfall continued in the twin districts on regular intervals leaving little scope for road restoration works. The entire district of Kishtwar and major parts of Doda are reeling under darkness right from the day snow fall started, reports said.
 Bhaderwah town in Doda, according to the telephonic reports, has recorded about four feet snowfall.
 The authorities said they were making every effort to clear more than a 1000 vehicles which are stranded on the Jammu–Srinagar Highway (NH-1) and other inter-district roads. Passenger busses, private vehicles and trucks carrying essential commodities were stuck due to sudden heavy snowfall on Friday night. "Snow clearance work has started, but due to the fog at various places and the heavy accumulation of the snow, traffic would be allowed only after Border Roads Organization gives clearance. We are also monitoring the situation,” said a senior Traffic police official.
 Officials said due to the slight improvement in the weather condition, light traffic has been restored on various places in Bani and Billawar which had also remained cut off due to the heavy snowfall.
 Reports said almost all the interior roads in Ramban, Udhampur, Kathua and Reasi were closed and there was no electricity in major areas of these districts for more than 12 hours.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jan 2012 00:00:00 IST