Jammu (PTI): A pilgrim died en route the shrine of Vaishnodevi in Reasi district due to severe cold conditions in the region, official sources said on Monday. D P Dubey of Chhattisgarh died on Sunday night near Katra base camp due to extreme cold conditions.

Cold conditions continued in and around the shrine due to heavy snowfall in the area where authorities temporarily closed the pilgrimage on Sunday night. The pilgrimage was allowed on Monday morning again, they said adding snow clearance operation has been started to clear the paths to the shrine.

However, very few pilgrims were being allowed as the path is still slippery due to the snowfall, they said adding by the evening paths would cleared of the snow. Shrine board authorities have also reopened old cave shrine route for darshan of the pilgrims, they said adding over 8000 pilgrims are staying at the base camp of Katra.