Why Was the Amarnath Yatra Suspended for a Day?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Amarnath Yatra suspended due to heavy rain.
- Restoration work is critical for the safety of pilgrims.
- Resumption expected on July 18, weather permitting.
- Over 2.47 lakh pilgrims have participated in 2025.
- Safety measures include BRO and Mountain Rescue Teams.
Jammu, July 17 (NationPress) The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended for Thursday from both the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps due to continuous heavy rainfall over the past two days, the Jammu and Kashmir Information Department has revealed.
This suspension is necessary as authorities are working swiftly to perform urgent restoration tasks on the pilgrimage routes, which have been compromised by the downpour.
According to a statement from the Jammu and Kashmir Public Relations Department, "Heavy continuous rains over the last two days have made it essential to conduct restoration work on the tracks along both routes. The Border Roads Organisation has deployed numerous personnel and machinery on the paths to ensure the work is completed before the Yatra can resume from both base camps on 18.07.2025."
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, also confirmed the suspension and mentioned that the pilgrimage is expected to recommence on July 18, contingent upon weather conditions.
"Due to the ongoing rain over the past couple of days, urgent repair and maintenance works are necessary on the tracks. Therefore, it has been decided that no movement towards the Holy Cave from the two base camps will be allowed today," he stated.
"However, yatris who stayed at the Panjtarni camp last night are permitted to proceed down to Baltal with adequate support from the BRO and Mountain Rescue Teams. The Yatra is likely to resume tomorrow, depending on the weather conditions throughout the day," Bidhuri added.
As of now, over 2.47 lakh pilgrims have paid homage at the 3,880-metre-high Holy Cave Shrine during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra 2025.
This marks the first instance this year that the pilgrimage has been paused for a day from Jammu.
Since the pilgrimage commenced on July 3, more than 2.35 lakh pilgrims have visited the shrine.
Over 4 lakh devotees have registered online for the pilgrimage thus far.
The pilgrimage, lasting 38 days, will conclude on August 9.