Heavy rains threaten suspension of Amarnath yatra yet again

Srinagar, June 15 (UNI) Heavy rains at various places along the track to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath have once again threatened suspension of the pilgrimage from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes.

Official sources today said heavy rainfall was recorded this afternoon at several places on way to the holy cave shrine from both Baltal and Pahalgam tracks, making them slippery and dangerous for trekking by the pilgrims.

Another report said light snowfall was received within the periphery of the holy shrine.

After remaining suspended for three consecutive days due to landslides triggered by heavy snowfall and incessant rains at several places along the track to the holy cave shrine, the two-month-long Amarnath pilgrimage resumed only yesterday following improvement in weather conditions.

A spokesman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) said that 4371 stranded pilgrims had left for the holy shrine from Baltal this morning while a batch of 84 devotees went to the cave in helicopter.

About 2000 pilgrims were allowed to proceed to the holy cave from Pahalgam this morning while 1838 devotees returned to the base camp from the traditional route after paying obeisance at the shrine, he added.

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