Amarnath Yatra temporarily on hold due to bad weather

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday suspended annual Amarnath Yatra from twin base camps including Pahlagam and Jammu due to bad weather conditions.

“The administration has decided to halt yatra at Phalgam route and restricted the movement of fresh batches from Jammu’s base camp due to bad weather conditions,” an official said.

“The Yatra convoy will not move tomorrow from Jammu towards Holy Cave due to bad weather conditions. All the yatris are advised to plan accordingly and stay at their accommodations,” Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar told.

Soon after the changes in yatra scheduled, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Avny Lavasa appealed devotees not to reach Yatri Niwas, Bhagwati Nagar on July 6th due to temporary halt in Yatra because of rains.

“All pilgrims are welcome to other lodging centres and to visit shivkhori, raghunath mandir & other places in and around Jammu,” she added.

Earlier in the morning, the administration has decided to temporarily suspended yatra from the Pahalgam route amid bad weather conditions.

The annual 43-day pilgrimage is held from the twin base camps – Nunwan in Pahalgam of south Kashmir’s Anantnag and Baltal camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.

“Around 3,000 pilgrims were stopped at the Nunwan base camp on the Pahalgam axis on Tuesday morning,” officials said.

Another batch of around 4,000 pilgrims that left Jammu for the Pahalgam route were stopped at Yatri Niwas in Chanderkote in the Ramban district. Pahalgam is about 90 km from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir’s summer capital.

Around 2,000 pilgrims who left from Jammu for the Baltal route were, however, allowed to proceed.
The decision of administration came after the Meteorological (MeT) department predicted widespread light to moderate rain in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.

“Widespread light to moderate rain is likely to occur in J&K during the next 24 hours which will break the current heat wave,” an official of the Met department said.

Since June 30, more than 72,000 pilgrims are reported to have offered their prayers at the Amarnath cave shrine. The Yatra is scheduled to end on August 11 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Amarnath Yatra base camp at Baltal to take a stock of facilities. “Interacted with Shri Amarnathji pilgrims, officers, ponywalas at Baltal base camp earlier today. Enquired about the facilities, quality of services, well-being of Yatris, volunteers and carried out on-site inspection of Control Rooms,” tweeted the office of Lieutenant Governor.

His office had earlier said: “Adequate arrangements are in place to ensure safe and smooth Yatra. Directed the officials for regular inspection of lodging, food, health facilities, sanitation and taking care of cleanliness drive along the Yatra route and base camp.”

The Amarnath shrine pilgrimage is held annually to the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. Over the last two years, it could not be held due to the pandemic.