The Shri Amarnath Yatra, a revered pilgrimage for thousands of devotees, faced suspension on Sunday from Jammu towards both Srinagar and Baltal. This decision arose due to adverse weather conditions and ongoing restoration efforts on the pilgrimage tracks.
Officials announced that no new convoy of pilgrims would proceed from Jammu to the base camps as heavy rainfall had damaged the tracks. Further forecasts indicated the potential for more unfavorable weather. Despite the suspension, pilgrims who had already performed darshan at the holy cave received permission to return to Jammu.
According to the Joint Police Control Room, Baltal, a total of 588 pilgrims were on their way back to Jammu in 53 vehicles, including 435 men, 83 women, four children, and 66 sadhus. The down convoy navigated through the Ramban-Banihal sector of National Highway-44 at the time of reporting.
The authorities suspended the Amarnath Yatra from both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes starting August 9. This preventive measure responds to the recent rains, track damage, and forecasts of adverse conditions. Each year, the Amarnath Yatra attracts thousands of pilgrims seeking to pay their respects at the sacred cave, making the safety of the journey paramount.
The Yatra is expected to resume as soon as the weather improves and the affected tracks are declared safe for movement. The administration prioritizes the safety of all pilgrims and remains vigilant regarding the changing weather variables.
Devotees are advised to stay updated through official channels regarding the status of the Yatra in the coming days. The smooth restoration of tracks is crucial for the safe passage of future pilgrims, amplifying the collaborative efforts among local authorities and weather monitoring agencies.
