Amarnath, Vaishno Devi yatras suspended from July 19 amid bad weather alert
Pilgrim movement has been halted from Jammu as well as the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps, with devotees advised to stay at designated accommodation centres until further orders. More than 3.76 lakh pilgrims have completed the Amarnath Yatra so far.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday announced the temporary suspension of both the Amarnath Yatra and the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra from July 19 following an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast of inclement weather across the region. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims amid forecasts of moderate to widespread rainfall between July 19 and July 23.
Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg said the Amarnath Yatra would remain suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes from July 19. "In view of the inclement weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shri Amarnathji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from July 19 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims," Garg said in a statement.
He said no onward movement of pilgrims would be allowed from the Baltal and Nunwan/Chandanwari base camps in Kashmir. In Jammu, no convoy carrying Amarnath pilgrims will be permitted to leave the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the twin base camps.
"Updates regarding the resumption of the Yatra shall be issued in due course of time after ensuring route safety and a comprehensive assessment of the weather conditions," he added.
Pilgrims have been advised to remain at their designated accommodation centres in Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban and await further instructions from the authorities.
The suspension comes after over 3.76 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine during the ongoing 57-day pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, authorities also suspended the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra from July 19 in view of the same weather advisory.
"In view of the inclement weather advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims," an official spokesperson in Jammu said.
The spokesperson said the decision had been taken in the interest of public safety following forecasts of unfavourable weather conditions and advised devotees not to undertake the pilgrimage until further orders.
Authorities have urged pilgrims of both shrines to follow official advisories and await updates on the resumption of the yatras, which will be announced after a review of the weather and route conditions.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday announced the temporary suspension of both the Amarnath Yatra and the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra from July 19 following an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast of inclement weather across the region. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims amid forecasts of moderate to widespread rainfall between July 19 and July 23.
Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg said the Amarnath Yatra would remain suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes from July 19. "In view of the inclement weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shri Amarnathji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from July 19 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims," Garg said in a statement.
He said no onward movement of pilgrims would be allowed from the Baltal and Nunwan/Chandanwari base camps in Kashmir. In Jammu, no convoy carrying Amarnath pilgrims will be permitted to leave the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the twin base camps.
"Updates regarding the resumption of the Yatra shall be issued in due course of time after ensuring route safety and a comprehensive assessment of the weather conditions," he added.
Pilgrims have been advised to remain at their designated accommodation centres in Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban and await further instructions from the authorities.
The suspension comes after over 3.76 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine during the ongoing 57-day pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, authorities also suspended the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra from July 19 in view of the same weather advisory.
"In view of the inclement weather advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims," an official spokesperson in Jammu said.
The spokesperson said the decision had been taken in the interest of public safety following forecasts of unfavourable weather conditions and advised devotees not to undertake the pilgrimage until further orders.
Authorities have urged pilgrims of both shrines to follow official advisories and await updates on the resumption of the yatras, which will be announced after a review of the weather and route conditions.
Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday announced the temporary suspension of both the Amarnath Yatra and the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra from July 19 following an India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast of inclement weather across the region. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims amid forecasts of moderate to widespread rainfall between July 19 and July 23.
Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Anshul Garg said the Amarnath Yatra would remain suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes from July 19. "In view of the inclement weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shri Amarnathji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from July 19 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims," Garg said in a statement.
He said no onward movement of pilgrims would be allowed from the Baltal and Nunwan/Chandanwari base camps in Kashmir. In Jammu, no convoy carrying Amarnath pilgrims will be permitted to leave the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas for the twin base camps.
"Updates regarding the resumption of the Yatra shall be issued in due course of time after ensuring route safety and a comprehensive assessment of the weather conditions," he added.
Pilgrims have been advised to remain at their designated accommodation centres in Jammu, Udhampur and Ramban and await further instructions from the authorities.
The suspension comes after over 3.76 lakh devotees have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high Amarnath cave shrine during the ongoing 57-day pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, authorities also suspended the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra from July 19 in view of the same weather advisory.
"In view of the inclement weather advisory issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of pilgrims," an official spokesperson in Jammu said.
The spokesperson said the decision had been taken in the interest of public safety following forecasts of unfavourable weather conditions and advised devotees not to undertake the pilgrimage until further orders.
Authorities have urged pilgrims of both shrines to follow official advisories and await updates on the resumption of the yatras, which will be announced after a review of the weather and route conditions.
