Jammu: The Vaishno Devi Hills have received the first snowfall of the season, an official here said on Thursday.

He said that the rains lashed the plains of Jammu while the Vaishno Devi Bhawan, nestled in the Trikuta Hills of Katra town in Reasi district, received the season’s first snowfall.

The official said that the pilgrims, amid the chants of ‘Jai Mata Di’, trekked to the Bhawan despite rain and snowfall.

About 2 to 3 inches of fresh snowfall were recorded.

However, the helicopter service to the Bhawan also remained affected due to harsh weather conditions, they said.

Notably, on January 30, 12,000 pilgrims and around 11,000 pilgrims on January 31 paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine.

The MeT has predicted light rain or snowfall on February 3–4.