The Hindu : National : Snow hits work on Amarnath route

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Monday, Jun 08, 2009
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Snow hits work on Amarnath route

Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR: Continuous snowfall at the Amarnath cave shrine since Friday has hampered track clearance and provision of facilities at various locations and camping sites on both the Pahalgam and Baltal sides.

Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) spokesperson said the weather situation was constantly being monitored at all the locations en route the shrine. It was snowing and raining heavily at the cave, Baltal and the entire track from both Pahalgam and Baltal sides almost throughout on Saturday, he said.

According to reports, the cave periphery and areas around Sheshnag recorded about two feet of snow while the base camp at Baltal received three inches till Saturday. On Sunday snowfall was reported in the holy cave area.

The spokesperson said that despite inclement weather during the past few days and accumulated snowfall on both the routes, the efforts to clear the tracks were in full swing.

In view of the bad weather, the spokesperson has advised pilgrims to get themselves registered with the designated branches of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank across the country with regard to both the specific route of travel and the date of the yatra.

The spokesperson said Governor N.N. Vohra, who is also chairman of the SASB, would inspect the holy cave area and both the base camps on June 11.

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