Srinagar: The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Thursday following heavy rains in the Kashmir Valley over the past 36 hours. The India Meteorological Department has warned of more heavy rainfall in parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The decision to suspend the pilgrimage came after a woman pilgrim was killed and three others were injured in a landslide along the Baltal route in Ganderbal district.
“The Shri Amarnath Yatra has been suspended from both Pahalgam and Baltal base camps on July 17,” said Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri.
“Incessant heavy rains over the past two days have made it necessary to carry out repair work on both the routes,” he said. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and rescue teams have been deployed, and pilgrims who were staying at the Panjtarni base camp have been allowed to move towards Baltal under supervision.
The BRO has deployed additional workers and machinery to restore the routes, and the yatra is expected to resume on Friday if the weather improves.
Another official said the weather advisory has warned of heavy rains across Jammu and Kashmir, including along the pilgrimage routes.
This is the first time this year that the yatra from Jammu has been suspended. The Amarnath Yatra began on July 3, and so far, over 2.35 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the cave shrine situated at an altitude of 3,880 metres.
Since July 2, when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch, around 1.01 lakh pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp for the Valley.
Over four lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far, while last year, more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims visited the cave shrine. The Amarnath Yatra will conclude on August 9 this year.
