Srinagar, Jul 05: The Amarnath Yatra to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas remained suspended today for the second consecutive day from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to landslides and shooting stones.
“Yatra via both Baltal as well as Pahalgam routes remained suspended for the second day due of landslides and shooting stones at several places and intermittent rains in the Yatra area,” a spokesman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) said.
He said, however, limited helicopter services functioned from both routes.
Three pilgrims died and four other persons suffered injuries when they came under a landslide between Brarimarg and Railpathri on Baltal route on Tuesday night while two pilgrims were killed by shooting stones over the past two days.
Six other persons have died due to cardiac arrest since the pilgrimage to the 3880 metre high cave shrine began on 28 June.
As per SASB, till date around 68,202 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave.
Meanwhile today, in the wake of the incidence of falling stones, landslides and accumulation of pilgrims at both the base camps at Nunwan and Baltal, SASB CEO announced the decision to halt the Yatra convoy due to arrive from Jammu tomorrow and advised pilgrims to make their plans accordingly.
SASB also said that in view of the large number of pilgrims who are held up at Baltal, Nunwan, Sheshnag and Panjtarni camps because of bad weather and falling stones, Governor NN Vohra, who is also the SASB Chairman, shall be visiting these camps tomorrow, cancelling his earlier scheduled visit to Jammu.
