Amarnath Yatra 2025 Suspended After Torrential Rain Batters J&K; 15,000 Pilgrims Stranded, Alert Issued Across 3 Districts
Pilgrims from Panjtami camp can still advance to Baltal, with a possibility of resuming the yatra depending on weather conditions
The Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Thursday due to heavy rain in the valley for the last 36 hours, officials said. A weather advisory warned of more heavy rain in parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
This comes a day after a woman pilgrim died and three sustained injuries in a landslide along the Baltal route of the yatra in Ganderbal district.
“Shri Amarnathji Yatra has been suspended for 17.07.2025 from both Pahalgam and Baltal base camps. Continuous heavy rains over the last two days have necessitated restoration work to be carried out on tracks along both routes,” Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bhiduri said.
“However, yatris who stayed at Panjtami camp last night are being allowed to proceed down to Baltal with adequate deployment of BRO and Mountain Rescue Teams,” he said.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has made heavy deployment of men and machinery on the tracks to complete the work so that the yatra can be resumed from both Baltal and Pahalgam base camps, Bhiduri said.
“In all likelihood, the yatra shall resume tomorrow (Friday), depending on the weather conditions during the course of the day,” he said.
Another official told PTI that a two-day weather advisory has warned of heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir, including on the yatra routes in Kashmir.
This is the first time the yatra has been suspended from Jammu this year.
So far, 2.47 lakh pilgrims have paid obeisance at the 3,880-metre-high shrine since the yatra began on July 3.
A total of 1,01,553 pilgrims have departed from the Jammu base camp for the valley since July 2, when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
More than 4 lakh people have registered online for the pilgrimage so far.
Last year, more than 5.10 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at the cave shrine, which houses a naturally formed ice lingam.
The 38-day pilgrimage will conclude on August 9.
Officials from the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) and the Jammu & Kashmir Disaster Management Authority have jointly issued advisories asking devotees to stay at designated camps until weather conditions improve. As of Thursday morning, red alerts have been issued across Anantnag, Ganderbal, and Ramban districts, with rescue and relief teams being deployed proactively in vulnerable areas.
The monsoon intensified over northern India this week, with Jammu and Kashmir witnessing widespread torrential rain since Tuesday. Meteorological officials recorded rainfall of over 120 mm in Pahalgam and 95 mm in Baltal, leading to a sharp rise in water levels in the Jhelum, Lidder, and Sindh rivers.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast continues to predict heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 48 to 72 hours, particularly in high-altitude pilgrimage zones and adjacent valleys. Landslides have already been reported along stretches of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, further hampering pilgrim movement and rescue efforts.
Authorities confirmed that more than 15,000 yatris (pilgrims) are currently stationed at different points along the pilgrimage corridor, including Nunwan base camp (Pahalgam), Domail, Baltal base camp, and Panchtarni.
At Nunwan, where nearly 7,000 pilgrims were gathered, temporary shelters have been reinforced, and supplies of food, drinking water, and medical support have been increased. Similar efforts are underway at Baltal, where around 5,500 pilgrims have been advised to remain indoors.
July 16, 2025 (Wednesday, 10:45 PM): Authorities issue initial travel warning due to increasing rainfall.
July 17, 2025 (Thursday, 6:00 AM): Yatra officially suspended from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
July 17, 2025 (9:00 AM): Helicopter services cancelled from both Neelgrath and Pahalgam helipads.
July 17, 2025 (10:30 AM): SASB and IMD issue red alerts and ask all pilgrims to halt movement.
In vulnerable areas near Chandanwari and Sheshnag, special ITBP and SDRF units have been deployed to monitor landslide-prone zones. Around 450 pilgrims, including elderly and children, were relocated from low-lying tents to higher, more secure shelters in Sheshnag.
The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are on standby across key zones, with rescue helicopters deployed at Srinagar airport in case of medical emergencies.
Apart from the suspension of the foot pilgrimage, helicopter services from Neelgrath and Pahalgam have been grounded due to low visibility and high wind conditions. Pilgrims who had booked advance chopper rides are being reimbursed or offered later slots once services resume.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which acts as a lifeline for yatra logistics, remains partially closed due to multiple landslides in Ramban and Banihal sectors. Long queues of vehicles, including supply trucks and tourist buses, have been seen on both ends of the blockage.
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has appealed for calm and assured pilgrims that every necessary step is being taken to safeguard their wellbeing. In a public statement, he said:
“Due to unprecedented rainfall in the region, the yatra has been paused temporarily. I urge all yatris to remain patient and cooperate with administration teams. The weather is being monitored closely, and the yatra will resume once conditions stabilize.”
The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has also opened 24/7 helpline numbers for families and relatives of the pilgrims who may be worried about their loved ones. Regular updates are being broadcasted on All India Radio and posted on the SASB website and social media channels.
This is not the first time the Amarnath Yatra has been interrupted due to extreme weather. In July 2022, at least 16 pilgrims lost their lives after a flash flood near the holy cave swept away tents and shelters. The memory of that tragedy has made authorities extra vigilant in 2025.
Weather experts say that climate patterns over the Himalayas are becoming increasingly unpredictable, requiring more real-time monitoring systems and better early-warning infrastructure to prevent loss of life during mass pilgrimages.
Leaders across party lines have appealed for coordinated disaster management and called for enhanced safety mechanisms for pilgrims. Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted:
“I’m in constant touch with the J&K administration. All possible assistance is being provided to ensure safety and care of every pilgrim. Yatris are requested to follow instructions and stay safe.”
On the ground, social media is flooded with visuals of pilgrims in rain-soaked tents, army personnel helping elderly devotees, and langar organizers distributing food under umbrellas. Many citizens have praised the efficiency and preparedness of the administration despite challenging terrain and weather.
While there is no official date yet for the resumption of the Amarnath Yatra 2025, authorities say that conditions will be reviewed every 12 hours in consultation with the IMD and local weather radar stations.
If the rains subside and routes are cleared, yatra movement may resume in a phased manner, beginning with short-distance treks from Chandanwari and Baltal to intermediate camps, followed by chopper operations.
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