Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, July 23

Major religious pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir remained suspended for a fourth consecutive day on Thursday as heavy rain, landslides, flash floods and falling rocks disrupted roads and raised safety concerns.

The Amarnath Yatra remained suspended until further orders, while pilgrimages to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Shiv Khori and Sarthal Devi also remained halted.

Authorities said the decision followed forecasts of further rain and deteriorating conditions on vulnerable roads and mountain routes.

The Jammu administration said no fresh batches of Amarnath pilgrims would be allowed to travel from Jammu towards the Baltal and Nunwan base camps until conditions improved.

Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar said the suspension was aimed solely at protecting pilgrims and urged those stranded at transit camps in Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban to remain at designated accommodation centres.

Authorities said arrangements had been made for food, accommodation, drinking water and medical care.

The prolonged suspension has also affected Katra, the main base for the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, where hotels, markets and restaurants reported sharply reduced visitor numbers.

A landslide was reported on the Ardhkuwari-Himkoti route, but no casualties occurred as the pilgrimage had already been suspended.

The Shiv Khori pilgrimage remained suspended because of heavy rain and unsafe approach roads, while the Sarthal Devi Yatra in Kishtwar was also halted because of the heightened risk of landslides, flash floods and falling rocks.

Authorities said all pilgrimages would resume only after weather conditions improved, roads were restored and routes were declared safe.

They urged pilgrims to rely only on official announcements and avoid unnecessary travel on vulnerable hill roads.