Amarnath yatra suspended

The two-month long annual Hindu pilgrimage to the Himalayan Cave Shrine of Amarnath, which was officially scheduled to begin on Saturday was postponed following incessant rains all along the north and south of Kashmir.

Madan Mantoo, director (public relations), Shri Amarnath Shrine Board said, "The heavy downpour and highly inclement weather at both north Kashmir Baltel and south Kashmir Pahalgam routes has forced us to suspend the yatra. The situation will be reviewed as soon as the weather permits."

Reports reaching Srinagar said that over 4000 pilgrims have been lodged at Baltel base camp while more than 2000 are presently at the south Kashmir Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam.

"More than 2000 pilgrims are also stranded at various camping points along the two mountain treks to the cave," said a senior officer in Srinagar.

The authorities have not allowed any of the 4000 pilgrims lodged in the Jammu base camp to proceed towards the valley.

Efforts are continuing to restore the bridge on the Srinagar Baltel road at Haknar and also the washed away portion of the trek between Baltel and the Cave Shrine at Railpathri.

Heat generated by thousands of pilgrims who have been visiting the Cave Shrine un-officially for the past 20 days is believed to have resulted in the melting of the Ice Lingam.