Amarnath Yatra: Third batch of over 6,600 pilgrims leaves Jammu base camp for Kashmir
Jammu (PTI): A third batch of 6,619 pilgrims left the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in two separate convoys to join the annual Amarnath pilgrimage in the Kashmir Himalayas, officials said on Sunday.
About 14,000 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine located at a height of 3,880 metres on the first day of the 52-day annual yatra, which commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on Saturday, the officials said.
The third batch, including 1,141 women, left in 319 vehicles between 3:50 am and 4:45 am amid tight security.
It was raining in Jammu when the pilgrims left for Kashmir, the officials said, adding that 3,838 devotees opted for the Pahalgam route while 2,781 were heading for Baltal to perform the yatra.
With this, a total of 13,103 pilgrims left the Jammu base camp for the Valley since June 28 when Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch.
The pilgrimage will conclude on August 19. More than 4.5 lakh pilgrims paid their obeisance at the cave shrine, housing a naturally-formed ice lingam, last year.
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Lonavala waterfall tragedy: Pune administration issues guidelines for tourists
Pune (PTI): The Pune district administration has issued guidelines for tourists in view of the monsoon, following the death of a woman and four children after being swept away at a waterfall near Bhushi Dam in Lonavala.
Collector Suhas Divase on Monday instructed authorities to conduct a survey to identify potential hazards and ensure necessary measures for the safety of tourists visiting Maval, Mulshi, Khed, Junnar, Bhor, Velha and Ambegaon areas, which are located in the Western Ghats, an official said.
"Divase instructed district officials to visit picnic spots such as rivers, lakes, dams, waterfalls, forts and forests areas and ensure the safety measures. He directed to demarcate prohibited areas by installing warning boards. The places which are disaster-prone and where the safety measures cannot be taken must be shut for tourists," he said.
A large number of people come to Bhushi, Pavana dam areas, Lonavala, Sinhgad, Malshej and Tamhini Ghat during the monsoon.
"Agencies like revenue, forest, railways, municipal corporations and PWD should deploy divers, rescue boats, life guards, life jackets at water bodies which are frequented by tourists. Divase also asked the district administration to rope in NGOs, rescue foundations, trekkers and locals," the official said.
Visitors will not be allowed at such spots in forests after 6 pm, Divase said.
