Shri Amarnath Yatra suspended due to
inclement weather along the tracks
Srinagar (Kashmir), August 06: The annual Himalayan pilgrimage to the Holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath in south Kashmir was suspended today following inclement weather and slippery tracks along Baltal as well as Chandanwari.
The yatra was suspended on both the tracks after heavy rains that rendered the tracks unsafe for trekking.
The official spokesman said no pilgrim was allowed to move from base camp of Nunwan along Chandanwari track and Baltal this morning. However, 3,422 pilgrims performed darshan in the Holy Cave who had a night halt at Panchtarni and could managed to reach Cave Shrine during the night hours, he added. Several thousand pilgrims are staying at various halting stations along both the tracks and they have been directed not to venture out unless the weather improves. The spokesman said the situation is being monitored on regular basis and all the pilgrims have been reported safe. Since the yatra started on June 30 over 4.50 lakh pilgrims have performed darshan at Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnath. Out of them 4.20 lakh pilgrims have already returned to their native locations while others are on their way, he added.
Meanwhile a fresh batch of 1,261 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas this morning for the base camp of Nunwan under tight security arrangements. Comprising 703 male, 300 female, 14 children and 244 Sadhus the pilgrims were stopped at Shetani nullah upto late night hours in view of tense security situation in Valley.
The yatris who had performed darshan at holy cave and reached Pahalgam and Baltal this morning were also not allowed to move further in view of the prevailing tense situation in Valley and they will only be allowed to proceed towards Jammu during late night hours, the spokesman added.
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