Amarnath pilgrims left stranded after landslides disrupt traffic

Banihal/Jammu: Over 2,000 Amarnath pilgrims, who were part of the third batch, were on Friday left stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as heavy rains triggered landslides at several places, disrupting smooth flow of traffic on the hilly road, officials said.

Braving heavy rains, the third batch of 2,876 pilgrims, including 544 women, left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for Kashmir early today in a convoy under tight security cover to pay obeisance at the 3,880 metre high

holy cave shrine of Amarnath, but faced frequent stoppage due to blocking of the 260-km highway by landslides, they said. Though timely action by the concerned authorities ensured removal of hurdles and reopening of the highway the only all weather road linking Kashmir with the rest of the country, the authorities stopped part of the convoy in Udhampur district as a precautionary measure, the officials said. They said 844 pilgrims, including 229 women, heading for the Baltal base camp, crossed the Jawahar Tunnel the gateway to the Kashmir Valley.

However, all the 2,032 pilgrims, including 315 women, who have opted for the traditional 36-km Pahalgam route, were stopped in Udhampur district and would proceed towards their destination tomorrow morning provided the road is traffic worthy, the officials said.

Adequate arrangements have been made for the stranded passengers by the district administration, they said.

No 'sadhus' and children were part of the third batch, the officials said.

Meanwhile, the Manali-Leh National Highway-3 was blocked on Friday after heavy rainfall triggered landslide in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, an official said.

Efforts are underway to clear the highway, he said.

Landslide reportedly occurred due to heavy rains in Marhi last night. However, the district administration came to know about the landslide in the morning when some tourists had informed them about the road blockage.

Rains continued to occur at most places of the state as monsoon became vigorous during the last 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in Una distruct, whereas Chamba and Kangra districts witnessed heavy rainfall.