Srinagar: The annual Amarnath Yatra has faced halt for the second consecutive day due to unfavorable weather conditions on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes, according to officials on Saturday.
Officials reported that the inclement weather in the union territory caused a delay in the annual Amarnath Yatra, resulting in its suspension on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.
Due to a weather advisory and heavy rains in the Kashmir valley, fresh groups of pilgrims were not allowed to commence their yatra from Jammu. The closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway prompted this action.
Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police issued an advisory, urging the general public to refrain from traveling on NH-44, Mughal Road, and the SSG Roads due to two landslides that occurred, resulting in blockage.
The J&K Traffic Police tweeted an update at 6:25 am, stating, "Traffic update at 6:25 am. NH-44, Mughal Road, and SSG Road are blocked due to 2 landslides. People are advised not to travel until clearance."
Since the commencement of the Yatra on July 1, a total of 67,566 pilgrims have visited the Amarnath cave shrine. On July 5, 18,354 pilgrims departed for the Amarnath cave shrine from both the Baltal and Nunwan base camps to perform the darshan.
Among the pilgrims were 12,483 males, 5,146 females, 457 children, 266 sadhus, and 2 sadhvis, as mentioned in an official statement.
"The total number of yatris who have performed Darshan since the beginning is 67,566. More yatris will visit the shrine in the coming days," the statement added.
To assist pilgrims throughout their journey, state agencies and civil departments are providing all the necessary essentials and facilities to devotees. Police, SDRF, Army, paramilitary, Health, PDD, PHE, ULB, Information, Labour, Fire and Emergency, Education, and Animal Husbandry departments have mobilized their personnel and resources to meet the requirements and arrangements for SANJY.
Under the supervision of Camp directors, yatris are provided with comprehensive facilities, including Langers, health services, and assistance from service providers such as poniwallahs, pithuwalas, and dandiwalas. Sanitation and various other forms of aid are also available, as stated in the official statement.
The 62-day-long Shri Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to conclude on August 31, 2023.
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