Kashmir: The Amarnath Yatra, which began yesterday under tight security, was suspended at Baltal and Chandanwari, the two main base stations for pilgrims, due to heavy rainfall. The yatra resumed later today morning after weather conditions improved according to a news agency reported around 11 am today.
An official of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) said that due to the heavy rain and snowfall the tracks have become too slippery for the pilgrims to continue.
“It is raining heavily and snowing on the way to the holy Amarnath cave and tracks have become slippery, forcing authorities to stop pilgrims from continuing their journey for their own safety,” an SASB official said.
“The pilgrims headed for base camps at Baltal and Nunwan are requested to check the status of the yatra with the control room or helpline set up by the SASB before starting off,” the official added.
Amarnath Yatra began on Thursday and more 10 thousand devotees paid obeisance at Amarnath amid tight security following inputs about possible terror attacks on pilgrims. The yatra is for 40 days, starting from June 29 to August 7.
The weather is the real dampener for the yatra, as the rain and snow can lead to landslides.