Jammu & Kashmir Amarnath Yatra Halted Due To Heavy Rain Forecast
Jammu & Kashmir, the revered Amarnath Yatra was suspended from Jammu on Thursday following a severe weather advisory predicting heavy rainfall across many parts of the region. This precautionary measure, taken to ensure pilgrim safety, marks the first such suspension from Jammu this year. The decision follows a recent incident where a pilgrim died and three were injured in a landslide along the Baltal route. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, prioritizing the well-being of devotees undertaking the sacred pilgrimage amidst challenging weather conditions, aiming for a safe resumption when feasible.
No fresh batch of pilgrims was permitted to proceed from Jammu towards the twin base camps of the holy cave shrine this morning. The suspension was enacted in view of a two-day weather advisory, which warned of heavy rains across Jammu and Kashmir, including along the critical yatra routes in Kashmir. Continuous heavy rainfall over the past 36 hours has particularly necessitated urgent restoration work on the pilgrimage tracks along both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. Officials noted that while pilgrims already at the Panjtarni camp were allowed to descend to Baltal, the Border Roads Organisation has deployed extensive manpower and machinery to expedite repairs, with resumption anticipated soon, contingent on improved weather conditions.
Since its commencement on July 3, over 2.47 lakh pilgrims have successfully paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high shrine. A total of 1,01,553 pilgrims had already departed from the Jammu base camp for the valley since July 2, when the pilgrimage’s first batch was flagged off by the Lieutenant Governor. Overall, more than 4 lakh people have registered online for this year’s pilgrimage, indicating widespread devotion. Last year, the cave shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam, saw more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims. The 38-day pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.
This temporary suspension underscores the paramount importance of pilgrim safety during the arduous Amarnath Yatra. Authorities are prioritizing robust disaster management and infrastructure readiness to navigate adverse weather. Such measures are crucial for ensuring the pilgrimage remains a secure spiritual journey, reflecting proactive governance in challenging terrains.
