New Delhi: In the wake of an inclement weather advisory issued by the Meteorological department (MeT), Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday urged pilgrims to perform darshan at Holy Cave of Amarnath before Aug 5. While talking to reporters at the Akhara building at Lal Chowk, Sinha said that the MeT department has predicted more inclement weather in and around the cave shrine of Lord Shiva and other parts of Kashmir after August 5.
“Given the erratic weather advisory, I would like to urge all the intending pilgrims of Lord Shiva to plan their visit to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath before August 5. Weather may turn more inclement after August 5 as suggested by the MeT department,” the LG said.
So far 3 lakh pilgrims from across the country visited the cave shrine, said Sinha.
“Pilgrims can go up to August 11 but given the weather advisory, I appeal to all the intending pilgrims to come for performing the darshan before August 5,” the LG said.
Over the past many days, there have been heavy rainfall in and around the cave shrine, said LG.
“The holy shiv lignum is also not in its original position due to the heat wave,” he said. Pertinently, this year, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) was expecting a record number of pilgrims given the huge tourist arrivals.
The number of pilgrims started falling down after the cloud burst at the cave shrine area on July 28 which left 15 dead and 35 others missings. SASB said the weather played a big spoilsport in this year's yatra.
“After the cloudburst on July 28, the number of Amarnath Yatris started falling gradually. High temperature especially the heat wave followed by incessant rains resulted in the untimely melting of Shiv Lingum,” said a SASB official, wishing not to be named, adding that till August 11, a maximum of 50,000 pilgrims are expected to perform the darshan that too, if the weather remains fair which seems bleak given the erratic weather advisory.