The Amarnath Yatra was abruptly suspended on Thursday as heavy rainfall battered Jammu and Kashmir for 36 hours, rendering the pilgrimage routes unsafe. The decision follows a tragic landslide on the Baltal route in Ganderbal district, where a woman pilgrim lost her life and three others were injured. A weather advisory has warned of continued heavy rains, prompting urgent action to ensure pilgrim safety.

Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bhiduri announced the suspension of the yatra from both Pahalgam and Baltal base camps, citing the need for extensive restoration work on the rain-damaged tracks. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has deployed teams and heavy machinery to repair the routes, with hopes of resuming the pilgrimage on Friday, weather permitting. Pilgrims stranded at Panjtami camp are being safely escorted to Baltal with support from BRO and Mountain Rescue Teams.

This marks the first suspension of the yatra from Jammu this year. Since the pilgrimage began on July 3, over 2.47 lakh devotees have visited the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine, home to a naturally formed ice lingam. With more than 4 lakh registered pilgrims and 1,01,553 having departed from Jammu, the 38-day yatra, set to conclude on August 9, remains a significant spiritual journey despite the weather challenges.

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