Srinagar, June 11
Heavy snowfall and landslides led to the suspension of the Amarnath Yatra today, hours after the two-month annual pilgrimage to a Himalayan cave shrine began amid tight security arrangements.
Snowfall in the vicinity of the cave housing the naturally formed ice lingam and adjoining areas after overnight rains forced authorities to suspend the yatra from both the traditional Pahalgam route and the shorter Baltal track, officials said.
None of the yatris were allowed to proceed towards the cave on the Pahalgam route due to the closure of the track at various places by landslides triggered by the rains. But over 4000 pilgrims chanting slogans in praise of Lord Shiva left for the shrine from Baltal base camp this morning, they said.
However, the pilgrims were stopped at various places on the way to the cave this afternoon after it started raining, the officials said, adding all pilgrims are safe.
They said senior officials were monitoring the weather situation on an hourly basis and a decision to resume the yatra would be taken accordingly.
Though the pilgrimage officially started today, several thousand pilgrims have had a ‘darshan’ at the cave with the help of local guides over the past couple of weeks.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (south Kashmir) Himant Kumar Lohia, who is monitoring the yatra and weather conditions from Pahalgam, said besides the cave, snow was experienced at Mahagunus and Posh Pathri areas on the 46-km track.
He said men and machines of the road and building department and policemen were working to clear the track of three landslides, triggered by overnight rains, between Sheshnag and Panjtarni.
Lohia said no pilgrim was stranded in the snow-bound or landslide-hit areas en route to the shrine on the Pahalgam side.
“We are monitoring the situation and once the weather improves the pilgrims will be allowed to proceed towards the cave,” he said.
Due to heavy snowfall and rains, the temperature dipped and created chilly conditions, Lohia said adding the pilgrims would be in danger if they attempted to make the trek to the shrine in these conditions.
Over 2,000 pilgrims are camping in Pahalgam, while 300 pilgrims are at Chandwari, the second stop en route to the cave. They will be allowed to continue their journey once the weather improves, Lohia said.
— PTI
