Kashmir Impulse Desk

Ramban, July 19

Authorities on Sunday suspended the annual Amarnath and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimages after forecasts of heavy rainfall raised the risk of flash floods, landslides and shooting stones along the routes, as Jammu and Kashmir grappled with widespread damage from torrential rain.

The Jammu divisional administration stopped the movement of fresh batches of Amarnath pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu towards the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps, saying the measure was taken as a precaution following adverse weather forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar said no fresh batch of pilgrims would be allowed to proceed towards Kashmir until weather conditions improved. Pilgrims already in Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban were advised to remain at designated accommodation centres and await further instructions from the authorities.

The suspension came after the IMD warned of heavy rainfall across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with the potential for landslides, flash floods and falling rocks along vulnerable stretches of the pilgrimage routes.

The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board also temporarily suspended the pilgrimage to the cave shrine atop the Trikuta Hills, citing the prevailing weather conditions and urging devotees to follow official advisories before undertaking the journey. In Reasi district, authorities likewise suspended the pilgrimage to the Shiv Khori shrine near Ransoo as a precaution.

Officials said all three suspensions were temporary and that pilgrimages would resume once weather conditions improved and the routes were declared safe following safety assessments by the concerned agencies.