Srinagar, Aug 08 (KNO): The Amarnath Yatra-2026 will remain suspended from August 9 on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes in view of recent rains, vulnerable stretches of the pilgrimage tracks requiring repairs and maintenance, and the forecast of adverse weather conditions over the next few days.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, the decision had been taken keeping in view the condition of the Yatra tracks as well as the weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“In view of the recent rains, a necessity for the repair and maintenance of the Yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches has been felt,” Garg said, adding that the restoration work was being undertaken by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Officials told KNO that no fresh Yatra convoy was allowed to leave the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu on Saturday as a precautionary measure amid rains and inclement weather conditions prevailing in Ramban district and parts of Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the 28th batch comprising 1,202 pilgrims who had completed darshan at the Holy Cave and were staying at the Baltal base camp was allowed to proceed towards Jammu in a down convoy of 44 vehicles, according to the Joint Police Control Room, Baltal.
The returning pilgrims included 867 males, 251 females, one child, 79 sadhus and four sadhvis. The convoy comprised 28 heavy motor vehicles (HMVs), one medium motor vehicle (MMV), 11 light motor vehicles (LMVs) and four trucks.
Officials said 3,336 pilgrims performed darshan at the Holy Cave on Saturday. The pilgrims included 2,384 males, 569 females, 21 children, 20 sadhus, six sadhvis, four transgender pilgrims and 332 security personnel.
With this, the total number of pilgrims who have performed darshan during the 2026 Yatra has reached 4,80,019.
The 57-day-long Amarnath Yatra commenced on July 3 this year and is scheduled to culminate with the traditional Chadi Mubarak ceremony on August 28.
The pilgrimage commenced simultaneously from both the traditional Chandanwari route in Anantnag district and the Baltal route in Ganderbal district. “However, due to the recent rains, a necessity for the repair and maintenance of the Yatra tracks at vulnerable stretches has been felt, which is being undertaken by Border Roads Organisation (BRO),” an official spokesperson said.
He said IMD has predicted adverse weather conditions over the next few days. “Hence, the Yatra shall remain suspended from both routes with effect from August 9, 2026. Chadi Mubarak shall proceed via the traditional Pahalgam route and shall mark the culmination of Yatra 2026 on August 28,” the spokesperson said.
The suspension comes after a particularly busy pilgrimage season, with more than 4.8 lakh devotees having visited the Holy Cave so far.
Authorities have appealed to pilgrims to follow advisories issued by the competent authorities from time to time in the interest of their safety and the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage—(KNO)