Jammu: Heavy rainfall across Kashmir on Friday disrupted the annual Amarnath Yatra, forced the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, triggered flash floods in several areas and left hundreds of fruit-laden trucks stranded, while the Meteorological Department forecast more widespread showers over the next few days.
The annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave shrine remained suspended from the Baltal route due to inclement weather and ongoing repair work on the track. The Pahalgam route had already been closed earlier to facilitate restoration work.
Officials said heavy overnight rain in the Baltal area triggered a minor flash flood at one location. While no loss of life or damage to property was reported, authorities suspended the movement of pilgrims from Baltal as a precautionary measure until repairs are completed.
Despite the suspension, the 22nd batch of 1,605 pilgrims—the smallest batch to leave Jammu since the Yatra began on July 3—departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp under multi-tier security arrangements early Friday. The convoy comprised 54 vehicles headed towards Baltal before the suspension of onward movement.
With Friday’s departure, 1,34,011 pilgrims have left the Jammu base camp during this year’s pilgrimage, while nearly 4.5 lakh devotees have so far paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine housing the naturally formed ice lingam of Lord Shiva.
The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 28, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan.
Adding to the disruption, authorities closed the 250-km Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, to facilitate widening of the carriageway and removal of overhanging debris at vulnerable stretches between Udhampur and Banihal.
Traffic was suspended after the Amarnath Yatra convoy crossed the affected stretch early Friday morning.
According to the Traffic Police, no vehicles were allowed beyond Nagrota towards Srinagar or beyond Qazigund towards Jammu, while commuters travelling to Katra, Reasi and Udhampur were advised to carry valid photo identification.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said restoration work was delayed due to adverse weather and the fall of two massive boulders near Dewal in Udhampur district.
NHAI Project Director Shubham Yadav said around 10 machines had been deployed and work was progressing on a war footing. He expressed hope that the highway would be restored for two-way traffic by around 11 pm on Friday.
The closure of the highway left hundreds of trucks carrying fresh apples and other perishable produce stranded on both sides of the highway, raising concerns among growers and transporters over possible financial losses.
Truck drivers said prolonged delays could affect the quality of the fruit and reduce market prices.
“We understand the need for maintenance work, but carrying it out during the peak apple season causes huge losses. Every hour of delay affects the quality of the produce,” one driver said.
The Fruit Growers Association Kashmir also expressed concern over repeated disruptions during the harvesting season, saying delays in transportation could severely impact the horticulture sector.
Association president Bashir Ahmad Bashir urged the government to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks and avoid a repeat of last year’s situation, when prolonged highway disruptions caused heavy losses to apple growers.
The association also maintained that the Mughal Road, often suggested as an alternative route, is not a practical option for heavily loaded fruit trucks.
Heavy rain also triggered flash floods in parts of Bandipora and Baramulla districts.
In Saderkoot Bala in Bandipora, floodwaters inundated roads and entered the Government Primary School at Ganie Mohalla, Malpora, damaging classroom mats and forcing suspension of classes for the day.
In Brennar area of Sopore in Baramulla district, flash floods affected several localities, though officials said no major damage to property had been reported.
Authorities said the situation was being closely monitored and emergency teams remained on alert.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread light to moderate rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 hours, with intermittent spells of rain, thunderstorms and isolated intense showers likely to continue until August 4.
Officials have advised pilgrims, commuters and residents living in vulnerable areas to remain cautious and follow weather advisories as restoration work continues on roads and pilgrimage routes.
