20,000 yatra pilgrims stranded

Nearly 20,000 pilgrims were stranded at various places in the state as Amarnath pilgrimage to south Kashmir Himalayas remained suspended while a seven-year-old girl was washed away in Rajouri and normal life was thrown out of gear with most of the link roads in upward areas of Reasi closed due to incessant rain for the second day on Thursday.

Officials said around 10,000-15,000 pilgrims were stranded at both Pahalgam and Baltal base camps,besides Sheshnag en route the shrine. Another 4,000-5,000 pilgrims were staying in Jammu where no fresh batch was allowed to proceed to the Valley.

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board officials,however,said that while nearly 3,000-3,500 pilgrims each were reportedly stranded at Sheshnag,Baltal and Pahalgam,was no pilgrim stranded at the shrine.

At Bhagwati Nagar base camp,the officials were finding it difficult to accommodate the pilgrims. Against the capacity of 1,300 pilgrims,we already have 2,500 to 3,000 pilgrims, said an official at the camp.