Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 12: The Swami Amarnath yatra remained suspended from both the tracks of Baltal and Nunwan-Pahalgam due to heavy downpour from early in the morning today. However, 1660 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave who had managed to reach there last night. Till date 1,49,101 yatris had performed darshan of holy Ice Lingam.
Due to the heavy rains during the night and landslides on Jammu-Pathankote National Highway the yatra from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas to holy cave was also suspended today.
An official spokesman said that the yatra was suspended from both the Baltal and Nunwan -Pahalgam base camps due to heavy rain and slippery tracks. He said no yatri was permitted to move ahead from twin base camps as well as the halting stations of Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni today as it rained cats and dogs on both the tracks to holy cave for the entire day.
He said the intermittent rain continued for entire day and the authorities decided to suspend the yatra from both the tracks. The spokesman said over 5000 pilgrims are stranded at Baltal while the equal number of pilgrims is stranded at Nunwan and Pahalgam also.
The spokesman said that if weather improves the yatris will be allowed to leave for holy cave tomorrow morning.
He said due to heavy rains and land slides on Jammu Srinagar National Highway at various places the yatra was also suspended from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas today.
Over 7000 pilgrims are camping in Jammu as no yatra bus was allowed to proceed further, the spokesman added.
He said the administration, however, has made elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims boarding and lodging in the city.
When contacted Dr Piyush Singla, Additional DC Jammu who is also the Nodal Officer for Amarnath yatra said that administration has made elaborate arrangements for the boarding and lodging of pilgrims at Jammu. He said the administration is looking for more lodges and banquet halls for staying of yatris in case the Highway remains blocked for more time for accommodation of stranded pilgrims. He said presently the administration has a space for accommodation of 15,000 pilgrims in the city.
Dr Singla said that about 7000 pilgrims are stranded at Jammu at present and administration has taken all steps to provide best possible facilities to them.
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