shimla, Sept. 2 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday in a statement in the state assembly said, "Sixteen pilgrims have died so far during the Manimahesh yatra, including four in Kugti, whose bodies are yet to be extracted owing to the inclement weather." The annual Manimahesh yatra, which began on August 16 and conclude on August 31, was temporarily suspended on August 25 following rains and landslides. As per the religious belief, the yatra which is dedicated to Lord Shiva, is held at an altitude of 4,085 metres and traditionally begins on Janmashtami. It concludes on Radha Ashtami, which falls on August 31. The Manimahesh Yatra is an annual fortnight-long pilgrimage to the glacier-fed Manimahesh Lake in Bharmour subdivision of Chamba district. Devotees trek to the lake to offer prayers. Starting from Hadsar in Chamba district at about 1,829 metres, the 14-km uphill trek is considered as challenging as the Amarnath Yatra. This year, however, owing to inclement weather and large-scale destruction, the yatra was suspended breaking the tradition of "Dal Thodna" that marks the conclusion of the pilgrimage. Traditionally during this ritual the priests and devotees cross from one end to another, at holy Manimahesh Lake. The CM apprised the House that out of 15,000 stranded pilgrims 10,000 have been evacuated. "There are 500 pilgrims who will be airlifted as the weather improves. Already buses and taxis have been deployed to evacuate the pilgrim," he said while replying to the query raised by leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur The Himachal Pradesh government declared the rain-battered entire state as "disaster affected" under Section 34 of the National Disaster Management Act, following widespread devastation caused by incessant monsoon rains, landslides and cloudbursts since June 20. "Entire Himachal Pradesh has been declared a disaster-hit state and notification has been issued to declare the state as disaster-hit," announced Sukhu in the Himachal assembly on Monday in the wake of the widespread devastation faced by the state that has suffered Rs 3,056 crore losses so far. The CM said, "Since the onset of monsoon, incidents of cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides have occurred in many districts. Relief, rescue, and restoration works on roads, drinking water schemes, and electricity supply were taken up on a war footing."...