Amarnath Yatra Resumes on Baltal Axis, Remains Suspended on Pahalgam Route

Danishwar Hameed 

Srinagar, July 31: The Amarnath Yatra resumed from the Baltal axis on Thursday, a day after being halted due to heavy rainfall across the region, officials confirmed.

However, the pilgrimage remains suspended from the Pahalgam route owing to urgent maintenance and repair works necessitated by the recent torrential rains that rendered several stretches unsafe for travel.

"The yatra resumed this morning from the Baltal route," an official said, adding that in light of the damage on the Pahalgam axis, the pilgrimage will continue exclusively via the Baltal route until further notice.

Authorities also announced that no convoy movement would be allowed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu towards either Baltal or Nunwan base camps on Thursday, as a precautionary measure.

Despite the disruptions, the pilgrimage has seen strong participation this year, with over 3.93 lakh yatris having paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine so far.

The annual Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, is scheduled to culminate on August 9.