Jammu, Aug. 29 -- The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has strongly refuted media reports alleging that the yatra on August 26 was allowed in disregard of weather advisories.

Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the natural disaster, the Board has termed such allegations as false and baseless.

The Board has clarified that weather conditions on the morning of August 26 remained clear and conducive for pilgrimage until about 10:00 AM, during which time helicopter services also operated normally. Shrine Board enforcement staff and its Disaster Management Task Force were deployed across the track as per established SOPs, while weather updates were closely monitored.

On receipt of a forecast for moderate rains, regis...