Amarnath Yatra Resumes via Baltal Amid Weather Turmoil and Widespread Disruptions
While movement through Baltal has restarted, the pilgrimage remains suspended on the Pahalgam axis, where repair work is still underway.
SRINAGAR: The annual Amarnath Yatra resumed on Saturday from the Baltal route after a one‑day halt triggered by relentless rainfall and damage to the trekking path.
Officials confirmed that pilgrims camping at Baltal were allowed to move toward the sacred cave shrine—situated at roughly 3,880 metres in the Kashmir Himalayas—once the weather improved and emergency restoration work on the Baltal track was completed. The suspension on Friday had been imposed as a precaution after heavy showers caused minor but concerning damage along the route, prompting authorities to temporarily stop the flow of devotees.
While movement through Baltal has restarted, the pilgrimage remains suspended on the Pahalgam axis, where repair work is still underway. Officials continue to restrict travel on this longer traditional route due to persistent safety concerns, diverting pilgrims instead toward the shorter Baltal track. The broader situation has been complicated by deteriorating weather across the Himalayan region, where intense rainfall over the past week has triggered landslides, flash floods and widespread damage to roads and communication networks. Authorities have repeatedly emphasised that these suspensions are precautionary measures aimed solely at protecting lives.
The challenges have been compounded by the closure of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH‑44), the crucial all‑weather link connecting the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country. Although the highway had briefly reopened earlier in the week, it was shut again on Friday for necessary repair work and remained closed for vehicular traffic on Saturday following fresh mudslides and the continuing threat of shooting stones along the vulnerable Ramban–Banihal stretch. Officials noted that the route remains highly unstable, posing serious risks to commuters and pilgrims. As a result of the highway closure, the Yatra was also suspended from Jammu, with the scheduled convoy for Baltal halted until conditions improved.
Despite repeated interruptions and difficult terrain conditions, the Amarnath Yatra continues to draw an overwhelming number of devotees from across the country. More than 4.5 lakh pilgrims have already visited the holy cave this year, reflecting the enduring spiritual significance of the annual pilgrimage even amid challenging weather and logistical hurdles.
