Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has suspended the Amarnath yatra indefinitely in view of sudden change in weather conditions.
According to a Special Weather Advisory issued by the Meteorological Department for the Pahalgam route, for Friday and Saturday, the sky will remain generally cloudy with rain/thundershowers likely in the areas from Jammu to Pahalgam and up to the Holy Cave. Similar weather conditions have been forecast for the Banihal-Srinagar-Baltal-Holy-Cave sector.
In view of the advisory , the forward movement of the yatris from Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panjtarni towards the Holy Cave was stopped at around 12.30 p.m on Friday, according to SASB Chief Executive Officer R.K. Goyal .
“This decision has been taken to ensure the safety and security of the yatris,” Mr Goyal said. The Army, Air Force and other agencies have been put on alert in view of the abrupt change in weather conditions and the heavy rains expected in the yatra area, to provide support to the pilgrims in case of any emergency.
The yatris have been advised to remain confined to their respective Camps, while those on the move must reach the nearest Camp locations.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra, who is the chairman of SASB, has directed that the area be monitored every half an hour.
Death toll rises
Among the 27 who have died since the yatra began, three were Amarnath pilgrims, including a Central Reserve Police Force jawan, who died of cardiac arrest on Thursday while returning from the cave. All the deaths were natural, according to sources
