Heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir have triggered deadly landslides, leaving more than 40 people dead on the Vaishno Devi route in Katra and in Doda district. Several others have been injured, and the tragedy has sparked a war of words between the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board over who should be held accountable.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary openly blamed the Shrine Board, saying that the responsibility of managing the pilgrimage—from deciding when it should continue or be suspended, to ensuring safety measures—lies with the Board. Many are now questioning why the Yatra was not stopped despite clear weather alerts, accusing the authorities of playing with the lives of devotees.

Responding to these allegations, the Shrine Board issued a clarification, insisting that it had not ignored any warnings from the Meteorological Department. According to the Board, the pilgrimage was suspended by noon on August 26, before the cloudburst and landslides struck. The officials maintained that until around 10 am that day, the weather was clear and conducive, and even helicopter services were running normally. The Board further explained that registrations were halted as soon as rain alerts were received and that most devotees had already started returning to Katra after visiting the holy cave.

The Shrine Board emphasized that shelter sheds had been built along the old track in areas historically unaffected by landslides to ensure pilgrims’ safety. “Our top priority has always been to protect devotees,” the Board said, while rejecting allegations of negligence.

Despite this, political leaders remain unconvinced. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly criticized the Shrine Board, arguing that the Yatra should have been suspended immediately after the disaster warnings were issued for August 25 and 26. He pointed out that the Meteorological Department had not only warned of heavy rains, cloudbursts, and landslides but also issued a seven-day alert, yet the Yatra was allowed to continue. Supporting this view, MLA Baldev Raj Sharma also held the Shrine Board responsible, saying that its lapse directly led to the tragic loss of lives.

The debate continues, with grieving families and the public demanding accountability as questions linger over whether the disaster could have been averted with stricter precautionary measures.