After Landslide and Days of Rain, Is the Amarnath Yatra Route No Longer Safe?

The annual Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Thursday from both the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps following continuous heavy rainfall in the Kashmir region over the past two days, prompting authorities to halt all pilgrim movement toward the Holy Cave shrine.

This is the first time in 2025 that the Yatra has been suspended from Jammu, signaling the severity of the weather impact. Officials said persistent rains have triggered the need for urgent repairs along the trekking routes, especially in light of a tragic incident on Wednesday, when a woman pilgrim lost her life and three others sustained injuries in a landslide on the Baltal route in Ganderbal district.

In a statement, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri confirmed that no pilgrim movement would be allowed from either base camp on Thursday.

“Due to continuous rains over the last couple of days, urgent repair and maintenance works are required to be carried out on the tracks. Therefore, it has been decided that no movement shall be allowed towards the Holy Cave from the two base camps today,” Bidhuri said.

However, yatris who had already reached Panjtarni camp on Wednesday night have been permitted to descend toward Baltal under close supervision, with Mountain Rescue Teams and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) deployed along the route to ensure safety.

The BRO has pressed heavy machinery and manpower into service to restore the damaged tracks and make them safe for further pilgrim movement. Authorities are working round-the-clock to resume the pilgrimage by Friday, subject to improvement in weather conditions.

“The Yatra shall resume in all likelihood tomorrow, depending upon the weather conditions during the course of the day,” Bidhuri added.

Amarnath Yatra 2025: Key Figures So Far

Despite Thursday's suspension, the Amarnath Yatra has seen a massive turnout in 2025. Since its commencement on July 3, over 2.47 lakh pilgrims have visited the sacred cave shrine, which houses the naturally formed ice lingam of Lord Shiva.

A total of 1,01,553 yatris have departed from the Jammu base camp for Kashmir since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch. According to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) figures, over 4 lakh devotees have registered online for this year's pilgrimage.

In 2024, the Yatra witnessed a record footfall of over 5.10 lakh pilgrims. This year’s 38-day Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 9, coinciding with the festival of Raksha Bandhan and Shravan Purnima.

Landslide Risks and Safety Measures

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of real-time weather monitoring and coordination with rescue and road maintenance agencies like the BRO, NDRF, and local police. With the region prone to landslides, especially during monsoon rains, authorities are exercising extreme caution to avoid any untoward incidents.

Medical teams, oxygen booths, and helipads remain on standby along the twin routes. Still, the recent casualty has raised concerns about the risks faced by pilgrims, many of whom travel from across India with high spiritual zeal.

While Thursday's suspension may have disappointed many pilgrims, the administration has reassured yatris of resumed operations soon, urging them to stay informed through official channels and prioritize safety above all else.

For latest updates on Amarnath Yatra 2025, stay tuned to official SASB advisories and weather bulletins.

Also Read: 36 Amarnath Pilgrims Injured After 5 Buses Collide in J&K