Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of two Delhi residents killed in a cloudburst near the Amarnath shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.
Flash floods triggered by heavy rain struck near the shrine on July 8, leaving at least 16 people dead and more than 30 missing.
"Two women from Delhi's Madangir, Virmati and Prakashi went for Amarnath Yatra and an unfortunate disaster took place during their yatra because of a cloudburst. Several people have died and out of all the bodies recovered so far, two of them belonged to Delhi," said Kejriwal.
"I have just talked to their families. They went for a pious cause on this pilgrimage to purify their souls and seek blessing from God, but unfortunately, they were ill-fated.
I met their family to share their pain," said Kejriwal.
"Both their families don't do well financially so the Delhi Government will provide an ex-gratia amount of Rs 10 lakhs to both the families.
We will ensure that their grandchildren get excellent education. We are also ready to provide all the possible help to the family. We stand with them in these troubled times," he said.
"The rescue operation is still in progress and if we come across more casualties, we will provide Rs 10 lakhs to each family. The Union Government is conducting the relief work and we will provide all the support to them," said Kejriwal.
Birmati and Prakashi lived with their families in Madangir, Ambedkar Nagar. According to a statement issued by the government, Birmati initially had no plan to go on the yatra. She was a diabetic and was often ill, it said.