Pilgrims during the Amarnath Yatra
Due to heavy rains on Sunday, the Amarnath Yatra on the Baltal route was suspended. This year, over 5.10 lakh devotees visited the 3,880-metre-high cave temple to pay homage to Lord Shiva.
The Jammu and Kashmir authorities have suspended the Amarnath Yatra even on the Pahalgam routes after heavy rains hit the hills of south Kashmir on Sunday. The officials said the route was undergoing repair and maintenance work due to the downpour.
Amarnath Yatra suspended in Jammu and Kashmir: Official statement
Heavy rains lashed both Pahalgam and Baltal routes of the Amarnath Yatra on Sunday. Due to this, the Yatra has been suspended till the maintenance and work is completed, said Kashmir Divisional Magistrate VK Bhiduri.
“Due to heavy rainfall, urgent repair and maintenance work is required on the Baltal axis of the Amarnath Yatra. In the interest of safety of the yatris,” Bhiduri said.
“There will be no yatra from Baltal route tomorrow also,” the Div Com said, adding that further updates will be issued in due course,” Bhiduri added.
Amarnath Yatra suspended in Jammu and Kashmir: Overview
The annual 52-day Amarnath Yatra began on June 29 at the twin base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal and ends on August 19. More than 510,000 pilgrims are expected to pay their respects to Lord Shiva at the 3,880-metre-high cave temple in the southern Kashmir mountains this year.
In preparation for Independence Day, tight security prevented another group of pilgrims from setting out earlier in the day for the Amarnath Yatra from the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar city.
First publication: Aug 12, 2024 | 2:08 PM IST