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Yatra suspended from Baltal due to rains

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 7/11/2013 12:25:24 AM

SRINAGAR, July 10: Amarnath Yatra was suspended today from Baltal route due to rains and was resumed from Pahalgam after half an hour suspension during the morning.
“Due to incessant rain, the movement of yatris from Baltal route was suspended for the day after 7.40 A.M. today. Till then, 3124 yatris had crossed access control gate at Domel towards holy cave. Remaining yatris were advised to stay at Baltal Base Camp for the day and, weather permitting, will be allowed to move towards Holy Cave tomorrow when yatra resumes again,” said a spokesman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
He added that the pilgrims from Pahalgam route were allowed to cross access control gate at Chandanwari till 11 A.M. with a half an hour stoppage at 8 A.M. due to rain. From this side, 5477 Yatris left for Sheshnag and further onwards for the pilgrimage.
Giving further details, the spokesman said on the instructions of governor , N N Vohra, who is also the chairman of SASB, rigorous monitoring of weather situation commenced after last midnight and the CEO SASB has been constantly in touch with the weather department, all camp directors, district officials and commandants of various security forces enroute Yatra. The CEO directed Camp Director, Domel to finally suspend the movement of Yatris towards Holy Cave for the day around 10 A.M. as weather was not showing any sign of improvement and incessant rains had created slippery condition at various places enroute Yatra from Baltal side.
The CEO has also directed camp director, Sheshnag to not allow any pilgrim to leave Sheshnag after 11 A.M. towards Panjtarni. He has spoken to the army officers and camp directors to ensure patrolling by security forces personnel, rescue teams of J&K Police, personnel of NDRF and SDRF on Yatra route on continuous basis this afternoon and evening to help any stranded Yatri.
The spokesman said at the end of 12th day of Yatra yesterday, 1,73,593 pilgrims had performed darshan at the holy cave, at an average of 14,466 number of Yatris performing darshan per day.
In the meantime, a pilgrim, Vijaya from Srigandakavel, Karnataka, lost her life due to cardiac arrest at Baltal base camp yesterday.
Another Yatri , J. L. Shaw from Kolkata, breathed his last at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Soura, where he was admitted following illness yesterday. The Yatri had reportedly performed his pilgrimage and, on his way back, fell sick and was immediately rushed to Srinagar for specialised treatment.