Amarnath Yatra Halted Due to Torrential Rains, Both Routes Affected

The annual Amarnath Yatra, a significant pilgrimage in the Kashmir region, has been suspended on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes due to severe weather conditions. Authorities were compelled to halt the pilgrimage after heavy rainfall on Sunday led to dangerous conditions on the Baltal route, mirroring the earlier suspension of the Pahalgam route for similar reasons.

Safety concerns for the thousands of pilgrims trekking to the Amarnath cave shrine prompted this decision, with Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, V. K. Bhiduri, emphasizing the need for immediate maintenance on both paths. The authorities have confirmed that no yatris will be allowed to proceed until the routes are declared safe for travel.

This year, the pilgrimage has seen over 5.10 lakh devotees making the journey to the sacred site. However, the ongoing heavy rains and resultant landslides have created treacherous conditions, leaving officials no choice but to suspend the yatra until further notice.

The pilgrimage is expected to resume once the necessary repairs are completed, and weather conditions improve, ensuring the safety of the pilgrims.