<p>The pilgrimage has been suspended again from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to the inclement weather.<br /><br />R K Goyal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), said the decision to put the security agencies on high alert has been taken to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims.<br /><br />Yatra halted<br /><br />“In view of the sudden change in weather conditions and special weather advisory forecasting heavy rainfall along the entire Shri Amarnathji Yatra area later Friday, the forward movement of the Yatris from Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni towards the holy cave was stopped immediately, around 12.30 PM, he added.<br /><br />Police said the pilgrimage was stopped from Baltal route also. The pilgrimage was resumed on Friday morning after it was stopped on Thursday due to rough weather. Goyal stated that the pilgrims had been advised to remain confined to their respective camps and those en route must reach the nearest camp locations in view of the likelihood of heavy rains to avoid any inconvenience to them. Meanwhile, Governor, N N Vohra, chairman of SASB, has directed half hourly monitoring of the situation in the Yatra area.<br /><br />Rains expected<br /><br />According to a special weather advisory issued by the meteorological department for the Pahalgam route, for July 8 and 9, the sky will remain generally cloudy with rain or thundershowers and possibility of isolated heavy falls from Jammu to Pahalgam and beyond the holy cave. Similar weather conditions have been forecast for the Banihal-Srinagar-Baltal holy cave sector for Friday and Saturday, with sky remaining generally cloudy with rain or thundershowers and isolated heavy falls. <br /><br />Dozens of pilgrims had died due to cold and snowfall along the Pahalgam route in 1996. Keeping in mind these things the authorities are not in a mood to take any chance and are taking precautionary measures for the same.<br /></p>
<p>The pilgrimage has been suspended again from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to the inclement weather.<br /><br />R K Goyal, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), said the decision to put the security agencies on high alert has been taken to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims.<br /><br />Yatra halted<br /><br />“In view of the sudden change in weather conditions and special weather advisory forecasting heavy rainfall along the entire Shri Amarnathji Yatra area later Friday, the forward movement of the Yatris from Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni towards the holy cave was stopped immediately, around 12.30 PM, he added.<br /><br />Police said the pilgrimage was stopped from Baltal route also. The pilgrimage was resumed on Friday morning after it was stopped on Thursday due to rough weather. Goyal stated that the pilgrims had been advised to remain confined to their respective camps and those en route must reach the nearest camp locations in view of the likelihood of heavy rains to avoid any inconvenience to them. Meanwhile, Governor, N N Vohra, chairman of SASB, has directed half hourly monitoring of the situation in the Yatra area.<br /><br />Rains expected<br /><br />According to a special weather advisory issued by the meteorological department for the Pahalgam route, for July 8 and 9, the sky will remain generally cloudy with rain or thundershowers and possibility of isolated heavy falls from Jammu to Pahalgam and beyond the holy cave. Similar weather conditions have been forecast for the Banihal-Srinagar-Baltal holy cave sector for Friday and Saturday, with sky remaining generally cloudy with rain or thundershowers and isolated heavy falls. <br /><br />Dozens of pilgrims had died due to cold and snowfall along the Pahalgam route in 1996. Keeping in mind these things the authorities are not in a mood to take any chance and are taking precautionary measures for the same.<br /></p>
