Amarnath Yatra suspended from Pahalgam due to heavy rains

Srinagar, Jul 6 (UNI) The holy pilgrimage of Amarnath through traditional Pahalgam route has been suspended this morning because of heavy rains, official sources said.

They said it had been raining since early morning on Pahalgam-Amarnath Cave route, which made the track slippery and risky.

About 2,000 pilgrims, who were scheduled to leave the Nunwan base camp for the cave, were stopped from moving ahead.

Once the rain stops and the tracks are safe for the journey, the pilgrims would be allowed to move, the sources added.

Similarly, about 3,000 yatris were also stranded at a different halting station, enroute to the cave they said, adding that some of them were on their way back to Nunwan base camp after having the darshan.

They said there was enough stock of essential commodities for the pilgrims at all the halting stations.

About 4.5 lakh pilgrims have visited the cave so far, on both--Baltal and Pahaltam--routes since the commencement of the pilgrimage from June 18.

So far 42 pilgrims--20 on Baltal and 22 on Pahalgam--routes have died a natural death.

UNI BAS RSA RAI1137