JAMMU, July 18: In view of inclement weather forecast issued by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from 19.07.2026 as well as from Jammu to Kashmir Valley as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims.
“In view of the forecast of inclement weather over the next few days and considering the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, Shri Amarnathji Yatra shall remain temporarily suspended from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes with effect from 19.07.2026. Accordingly, no onward movement of pilgrims will be permitted from the Baltal and Nunwan/ Chandanwari base camp from 19.07.2026. Updates regarding the resumption of Yatra shall be issued in due course of time after ensuring route safety and comprehensive assessment of the weather conditions”, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said.
So far, over 3.7 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy cave shrine during the ongoing Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, he said.
Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu said in view of the inclement weather forecast along the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra route, it is hereby informed that no convoy, vehicle carrying the pilgrims will be allowed to proceed from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, towards the base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) tomorrow on July 19.
He said the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims in view of the adverse weather conditions predicted along the Yatra route.
“No fresh batch of pilgrims shall be permitted to move from Jammu on July 19, towards Kashmir in view of inclement weather advisory. Pilgrims are advised to remain at their designated accommodation centres in Jammu ,Udhampur Ramban and await further instructions from the authorities’’, he added.
Meanwhile on the 16th day of Darshan today, 16,000 pilgrims drawn from different parts of the country paid obeisance at Himalayan cave in South Kashmir districts of Anantnag situated at an altitude of 3888 metres from twin tracks of Baltal and Pahalgam.
Officials said 16,039 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave by Saturday evening from twin tracks of Baltal and Pahalgam. With this a total number of 3,76,779 Yatris from different parts of country and abroad have visited holy cave in last 16 days since the 57 days long Yatra started on July 3.
The Yatra this year surpassed the last year’s 3.5 lakh record only in first 15 days. Last year the Yatra was of 38 days duration and 3.5 lakh pilgrims had visited holy cave during this period.
Officials said the pilgrims who paid obeisance at holy cave today had started their return journey towards their respective base camps by this evening.
The weather during the day in entire cave shrine area was Sunny as per reports but cool breeze started blowing at Panchtarni and Maha Ganesh top in the evening.
Officials said thousands of Yatris are camping at Baltal, Panchtarni, Sheshnag and Nandiwan-Pahalgam besides Yatri Niwas Panta Chowk, Srinagar.
A fresh batch of 3,632 pilgrims, including 877 women and 104 Sadhus, left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here early on Saturday to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra in the Kashmir Valley, officials said.
The 17th batch of pilgrims left the base camp in a convoy of escorted vehicles for the twin base camps of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district between 2.40 am and 3.15 am, the officials said.
While 2,624 pilgrims are heading for Baltal, another 1,008 pilgrims preferred the traditional Pahalgam route for the Yatra, they said.
The 57-day annual pilgrimage has been progressing smoothly, with more than 3.65 lakh pilgrims having paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high holy cave shrine. Although the naturally formed ice Shivling melted earlier than usual this year, the pilgrimage has continued uninterrupted, with devotees continuing to throng the shrine in large numbers.
Of the total pilgrims who have visited the shrine till date, more than 1.12 lakh commenced their pilgrimage from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. Pilgrims opting for the Jammu base camp are transported to Kashmir in escorted convoys under elaborate security arrangements.
However, a majority of the registered devotees preferred to travel directly to the twin base camps in Kashmir on their own.
Officials said security arrangements remain robust all along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the two pilgrimage routes to ensure the safe and smooth movement of Yatris.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar base camp on July 2, a day before the start of the pilgrimage in the Valley.
The Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with the festival of Sawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
Six people, including five Amarnath pilgrims, were injured after their vehicle collided with a dumper truck in Udhampur early Saturday, officials said.
The vehicle was part of a convoy carrying more than 3,600 pilgrims that had left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here for Kashmir to undertake the annual Amarnath Yatra and offer prayers at the holy cave shrine, they said.
The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which crashed into the truck parked along the roadside near Jakhani on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway at around 5 am, injuring five pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and the driver — a resident of Ganderbal district.
All the injured were shifted to Government Medical College, Udhampur, where they are undergoing treatment, officials said.
An official spokesperson said Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha reviewed the situation following the accident.
The Lieutenant Governor spoke with Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur, Minga Sherpa and medical officials, and directed them to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
“Spoke with the Deputy Commissioner of Udhampur and medical officials and inquired about the health condition of Shri Amarnathji Yatra pilgrims injured in the unfortunate road accident near Jakhani, Udhampur, earlier this morning. Five pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh and a driver from Ganderbal sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at GMC Udhampur,” Sinha said on X.
“Senior officials have been directed to ensure all necessary assistance and the best possible medical care are provided for their swift recovery. I pray to Baba Barfani for the safety, well-being and smooth journey of all devotees,” he said.
