Srinagar, July 17 -- "No fresh batch was allowed to move from Jammu towards the base camps," an official said, adding that the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) deployed additional personnel and machinery to carry out urgent repairs on the rain-damaged tracks.

Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, said critical restoration work was underway and the Yatra is expected to resume on Friday, subject to weather conditions. "Only pilgrims already stationed at Panjtarni were allowed to descend towards Baltal today under the supervision of BRO and Mountain Rescue Teams," he said.

This is the first time this year that the pilgrimage has been halted simultaneously from Jammu and both the base camps.

Despite the suspension, 9,020 pil...