Jammu, Feb 5: The number of pilgrims visiting the Vaishno Devi Shrine has fallen drastically due to heavy snow and rain lashing the region since Monday.
"The number of pilgrims Tuesday was about 5,000, while it was 8,500 on Monday. It is far less than the average of 14,000 people who visit the shrine during winters," a Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) official said.
The pilgrimage was halted Tuesday morning due to rain and snow but later resumed.
The pilgrims were halting intermittently due to bad weather and a close watch was being kept for landslides, the official said.
SMVDSB said over 4.5 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine in January last year while the number fell to over 4.3 lakh this year.
