Rains halt Amarnath yatra

Srinagar, June 30 (PTI) The annual Amarnath yatra to the cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas was today suspended from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to heavy rains.  Rains have rendered the tracks slippery at some places, leading to suspension of the yatra. “The yatra has been suspended temporarily in view of the rains that lashed the twin routes early morning,” an official of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) told PTI.  “The pilgrims headed for base camps at Baltal and Nunwan are requested to check the status of the yatra with the control room or helpline set up by the SASB before starting off,” the official said. Over 6,000 pilgrims yesterday paid obeisance at the 3,888-metre high cave shrine. The 40-day long Amarnath yatra began from Jammu on June 28.PTI