The authorities in Kashmir on Friday sounded flood alert after water levels crossed flood declaration level in south Kashmir even as the Amarnath Yatra was suspended temporarily due to inclement weather along both routes leading to the holy cave.

Officials said that flood alert was sounded in the Valley due to increasing water level in Jhelum River. An official at Irrigation and Flood Control department said the water level at Sangam gauge in south Kashmir crossed flood declaration level of 21 feet on Friday afternoon.

The authorities temporarily suspended Amarnath yatra from both Baltal and Pahalgam routes due to slippery road condition following heavy rains since Thursday night. The rainfall continued in Srinagar and elsewhere in the Valley besides several areas along Srinagar Jammu National highway.

The meteorological department has predicted wet weather during next 24 hours across the state.

The 60-day annual Yatra commenced on June 28 with traditional Pratham Pooja ritual at Holy Amarnath Cave in the south Kashmir’s Himalayan region. The puja also delayed due to rainfall and fewer pilgrims were able to ascend to the cave.

Official sources said the yatra was temporarily stopped because of bad weather and slippery road conditions.

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) officials said the commencement of the pilgrimage was considerably delayed on Thursday morning due to continuing rain.  The Yatra commenced only in the afternoon and 1316 Yatris were able to leave on the Baltal route and 60 on the Pahalgam route for the Holy Shrine.

Officials said the yatra would be resumed after improvement in weather and assessment of road conditions along the routes on both sides.

Governor NN Vohra who is ex-officio Chairman of SASB is personally monitoring overall arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of yatra and safety of all the visiting pilgrims. Over 2 lakh 12 thousand persons have secured advance registration for undertaking the yatra.