⛔ What Happened & Why?

On August 3, 2025, the Shri Amarnath Yatra was suspended on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, nearly a week before its scheduled end on August 9, 2025 (Raksha Bandhan). The suspension was caused by persistent heavy rainfall, which led to significant damage to the yatra tracks, making them unsafe for pilgrims.

Divisional Commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri stated that urgent repair work was necessary. Teams and machinery were immediately deployed to begin track maintenance, making it impossible to resume the yatra safely.

👥 Pilgrim Numbers & Comparison

More than 4.05 lakh pilgrims had already completed their visit to the sacred Amarnath cave before the suspension. This marks a noticeable decline compared to 2024, when over 5.1 lakh pilgrims participated. The drop in numbers is estimated to be around 10–20%, possibly due to weather uncertainties and increased security controls.

🛡️ Security & Prior Concerns

The 2025 yatra was held under unprecedented security measures, involving over 42,000 personnel. This followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which prompted authorities to declare the yatra routes as No-Fly Zones, ban drones and balloons, and set up multiple security checkpoints.

There had already been multiple temporary suspensions in mid-July due to landslides, flash floods, and adverse weather, adding to concerns about route safety.

⏳ Timeline at a Glance

July 3, 2025: Yatra began with strict security.

Mid-July: Temporary halts due to flooding and landslide alerts.

August 2–3, 2025: Official suspension announced and implemented from August 3.

🔍 Broader Context

The early suspension is part of a pattern seen in previous years, where extreme weather events disrupted or endangered the Amarnath pilgrimage. For instance, in 1996, over 250 pilgrims died due to unexpected snowstorms. In 2022, a cloudburst near the cave shrine caused fatalities and evacuations.

🧾 Summary Table