Jammu And Kashmir Floods: Amarnath Yatra Resumes After 3 Days as Water Level in Jhelum Recedes

As the water level in the Jhelum river started receding, the authorities decided to allow the pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp to join the yatra.

Srinagar, July 1: The 60-day Amarnath Yatra resumed after three days on Sunday and pilgrims from the two base camps in the Kashmir Valley were permitted to move towards the cave shrine. The annual pilgrimage was suspended due to incessant rains across Jammu and Kashmir. However, as the water level in the Jhelum river started receding, the authorities decided to allow the pilgrims from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp to join the yatra.

A total of 6,877 pilgrims left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu city in escorted convoys towards the the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps. “The first group of 2,790 pilgrims bound for the Baltal base camp left at 3.10 a.m. in an escorted convoy of 99 vehicles,” police said.

“A second group of 4,087 yatris at 3.50 a.m. left for Pahalgam in another escorted convoy of 130 vehicles.” Despite incessant rains, the pilgrimage to the 3,880 metre-high cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas commenced on June 28 after several hours of delay.

On Saturday, three people also lost their lives in rain-related incidents and a flood alert was sounded in central Kashmir and Jammu region. People living in areas along embankments of the Jhelum river and streams, and in low-lying areas of central Kashmir were advised to remain vigilant.

Earlier in the day, Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra of all possible central help to deal with the flood situation in the state. During a telephonic conversation with the governor, the home minister enquired about the flood situation in certain parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh assured all possible support and cooperation to the state in dealing with the situation, a Home Ministry official said.

(With agency inputs)