The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has firmly denied allegations that the Vaishno Devi Yatra was allowed to proceed on August 26th, 2025, disregarding weather advisories and putting pilgrim safety at risk. The Board expressed deep sorrow and pain over the loss of lives due to the cloudburst-triggered landslide but refuted the claims as false and baseless.

According to the SMVDSB, the weather conditions on the morning of August 26th were clear and conducive for pilgrimage until approximately 10:00 AM, during which time the Yatra proceeded normally, with helicopter services operating without disruption. The Board maintains that it closely monitored weather updates and had deployed its enforcement staff and Disaster Management Task Force along the entire track according to established standard operating procedures.

As soon as a forecast for moderate rains was received, the SMVDSB says registrations were immediately suspended. By that time, a majority of pilgrims had already completed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine and were moving down the track towards Katra. Thousands of yatris had smoothly completed their pilgrimage and returned to Katra without incident. The Tarakote track, known to be vulnerable to landslides, had been closed since August 24th to ensure safety. The old track, considered generally stable, remained open under close observation but was also suspended by 12:00 noon on August 26th once the specific weather advisory was issued.

The Board stated that the cloudburst, which triggered a massive landslide over a 50-meter stretch near Inderprastha Bhojanalaya on the old track around 2:40 PM, was an unforeseen event. The SMVDSB emphasized that this was an unprecedented event with no prior record, making it a clear case of force majeure.

Following the incident, the Shrine Board's Disaster Management Task Force, in coordination with the District Administration, Reasi, J&K Police, CRPF, Army, NDRF, SDRF, and volunteers, immediately launched swift evacuation and relief operations. Eighteen injured pilgrims were safely evacuated and taken to the Shrine Board's Hospital at Kakryal for specialized care after receiving first aid on the track. Stranded pilgrims were safely evacuated to Katra via Tarakot Marg by the evening of August 26th.

Despite the Shrine Board's statements, questions have been raised regarding why the Yatra wasn't suspended earlier, given the weather warnings. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned the "apathetic approach" of authorities and suggested that steps should have been taken to save lives, considering the weather warnings.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, stated that the Yatra was stopped before the cloudburst hit the track at Adhkuwari. He expressed anguish over the loss of pilgrims and visited the injured devotees at the SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital in Katra, assuring them of the best medical care.

The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of at least 34 lives and left 18 injured. The Jammu region experienced heavy rainfall on Monday and Tuesday, with Jammu recording an unprecedented 380 mm of rainfall within 24 hours. This extreme weather led to massive flooding in the Tawi and Chenab rivers, as well as numerous rivulets, causing significant damage to roads, bridges, and public property.