Amarnath yatra suspended for first three hours due to bad weather

Srinagar, July 20 (UNI) The Amarnath yatra was suspended for first three hours from the traditional Pahalgam route because of heavy rains while it was going on smoothly from the shortest Baltal route though the sky was cloudy.

The overnight rains forced the authorities to delay the departure of the pilgrims from the Pahalgam route as the road had become slippery, official sources said.

They said the weather conditions had inmproved now and green signal was received from almost all the halting points through the traditional route.

''We have now allowed pilgrims to proceed towards the cave shrine from the Nunwan base camp,'' an official at the camp said.

He said pilgrims on way back have also left for Pahalgam.

However, the yatri was going on smoothly from shortest Baltal route despite bad weather. The sky was overcast but there was no rain, an official at the camp told UNI over phone.

So far about 2.60 lakh pilgrims from all over the country and abroad had 'darshan' of the 'Shivlingam' in the cave shrine despite threat perception and 'icelingam' controversy, since the commencement of the pilgriamge from June 11.

However, 41 pilgrims have also died during the same period, mostly due to heart attack.

UNI BAS PR VA VV1310