The eleventh batch of over 6,000 Amarnath pilgrims left the Jammu metropolis on Saturday for the dual base camps in Kashmir even because the annual pilgrimage to the cave shine in south Kashmir was halted due to the flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall that killed not less than 16 folks.
The 43-day Yatra started on June 30 from the dual routes — the standard 48-km from Nunwan in Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag, and the 14-km shorter however steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
However, the pilgrimage has been suspended after the flash flood close to the cave shrine on Friday night swept away scores of individuals, swamping tents and neighborhood kitchens with mud and rocks hurtling down a hillside.
A choice on the resumption of the pilgrimage will probably be taken after rescue operations recover from, a senior administration official mentioned.
A complete of 6,048 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu metropolis in a convoy of 279 automobiles amid heavy CRPF safety, officers mentioned.
They mentioned 1,404 pilgrims, heading for Baltal, have been the primary to go away the Bhagwati Nagar camp in 115 automobiles round 3.30 am adopted by the second convoy of 164 automobiles carrying 4,014 pilgrims for Pahalgam.
With this, 69,535 pilgrims have left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp for the Valley since June 29, the day the primary batch of pilgrims was flagged off by Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
Till Saturday, over one lakh pilgrims have provided their prayers on the cave shrine, the officers mentioned.
The yatra is scheduled to finish on August 11 on the event of Raksha Bandhan.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”