Heavy Rain Halts Pilgrimages in Jammu and Kashmir

Pilgrimage Disruptions Due to Severe Weather

In Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rainfall has led to the suspension of pilgrimages to the Amarnath, Mata Vaishno Devi, and Shiv Khori cave temples for the second consecutive day on Monday. Authorities have advised pilgrims to remain at base camps and accommodation facilities, prohibiting access to the sacred sites until further notice. The administration has halted the Amarnath yatra from Jammu, Udhampur, and Ramban towards Srinagar, leaving hundreds of devotees stranded at various base camps across the union territory.

The pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi from Katra and the Shiv Khori journey in Reasi district have also been suspended, with the shrine board urging devotees to postpone their trips for safety reasons.

Impact of Continuous Rainfall

This suspension follows continuous rainfall and incidents of cloudbursts in parts of Kashmir since Sunday. Officials reported that numerous pilgrims are trapped in various base camps and accommodation centers located in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Ramban, and Banihal. Security forces have been deployed along the national highway to prevent pilgrims from heading towards Kashmir. The pilgrimage to the Mata Vaishno Devi cave temple, situated in the Trikuta hills of Reasi district, has also been postponed for the second day in a row. Police announced the suspension of the yatra via loudspeakers at the Katra base camp, stating that no pilgrims would be allowed to proceed towards the temple.

Devotees arriving in Katra have been advised to stay there until the weather improves.

Shiv Khori Yatra Postponed

Officials indicated that the journey to Shiv Khori, located in Reasi district, has also been suspended for the second consecutive day due to forecasts of heavy rain and adverse weather conditions in the Ransu area. The Shiv Khori Shrine Board has requested pilgrims to delay their trips until further notice, citing safety concerns arising from the inclement weather. The advisory issued by the shrine board stated, 'Considering the heavy rainfall forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the adverse weather in the Ransu area, the Shiv Khori yatra will remain suspended until further notice.'

Monitoring Weather Conditions

The administration is continuously monitoring the weather situation and has urged pilgrims to check for the latest updates before planning their visits to the cave temples. Decisions regarding the resumption of the yatra will be made based on improvements in weather conditions and safety assessments. Rainfall began early Sunday morning, accompanied by incidents of cloudbursts in forested areas of Kashmir. The weather department has predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir from July 19 to 24.

Casualties from Landslides

In Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir, at least 12 people have lost their lives due to landslides and flash floods caused by torrential rain on Sunday, with several others reported missing, according to officials. They noted that the landslides and floods have caused extensive damage to public and private infrastructure, including roads and buildings. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Delhi for a proposed protest demanding the restoration of full statehood, decided to cut his trip short and return to Jammu in light of the deteriorating conditions in some areas.