Date:30/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063055520700.htm

National

Amarnath Yatra suspended due to bad weather

JAMMU/SRINAGAR: The Amarnath Yatra was today suspended from Jammu due to bad weather as at least 30 pilgrims were injured in an accident and a policeman and woman died enroute and at the shrine respectively.

Authorities in the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir said no fresh batch was allowed from there due to bad weather conditions prevailing enroute to the shrine.

As per reports, the route had become slippery and several mud-streams had formed on the Kagan-Baltal stretch of the highway creating problems for free movement of traffic, they said.

The Yatra was resumed on Saturday after a break of two days as authorities had suspended it apprehending attacks on it in the Kashmir valley.

Meanwhile, at least 30 pilgrims were injured when a vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident at Sudhikari-Sonamarg, 80 kms from Srinagar, this morning.

The vehicle carrying pilgrims from Baltal to Srinagar turned turtle, resulting in injuries to 30 occupants, sources said they have been rushed to district hospital.

A policeman and a woman pilgrim also died at Pisu top and the holy cave respectively, raising the number of those killed in the ongoing yatra to 27.

Constable Sajad Ahmad fell into a deep gorge at Pisu top on the Pahalgam route while on duty last evening, they said.

55-year-old Nirmada Bhan, a resident of Gujarat, died at the holy cave due to cardiac arrest, sources said. - PTI