Over one dozen pilgrims died and several others could not be traced till late on Friday after a cloudburst left behind a trail of death and destruction in the Amarnath cave shrine area. The ongoing yatra was immediately suspended to focus on the rescue and relief measures. Since June 30, over one lakh pilgrims visited Amarnath.
According to preliminary reports, the cloudburst hit the Amarnath cave shrine area around 5.30 pm in which about two dozen tents/langars were washed away. Due to the huge presence of pilgrims in the area, several were washed away in the flash floods.
Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) PRO Vivek Pandey in a recorded message said, “The water levels rose abruptly in the cave shrine area after the cloudburst hit the area.”
He said at least 20-25 tents were washed away. Eyewitness reports suggested the final toll is expected to increase as several pilgrims were reported missing in the area.
10 pilgrims who were being shifted to Panjtarni have been re-called at Holy Cave due to medical reasons. 13 pilgrims are being treated at Army MI Room, Holy Cave. 25 are being treated at SASB Hosp, Holy Cave.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally took stock of the rescue operations launched in the area. In a tweet the Prime Minister said, “Anguished by the cloudburst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families.
Spoke to Manoj Sinha Ji and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected”.
At least six rescue teams of the Indian Army, jawans of the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, BSF, CRPF, Mountain Rescue teams of the Jammu & Kashmir Police, ITBP and volunteers have been pressed into service to look for survivors and extend all possible help to the stranded pilgrims in the area.
ALH helicopters have been pressed into service to shift the injured to the nearest base camps.
The rescue teams have also launched massive relief operations for the stranded pilgrims along the yatra route. Several teams have been launched to look after the pilgrims and help them reach the nearest base camps in view of the inclement weather conditions.
The cave shrine area had witnessed a similar incident of cloudburst last year on July 29. In the absence of pilgrims no major loss of life was reported in the area. LG Manoj Sinha said he was personally monitoring the situation. “Spoke to Prime Minister & Home Minister Amit Shah and briefed them about the incident. The PM and HM assured all the help. Our priority is to save the lives of people. Instructions have been issued to provide all necessary assistance to pilgrims. I am closely monitoring the situation”, the office of LG tweeted. Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the reports of loss of precious lives coming in from the site of the cloudburst near the Amarnath Cave. My condolences to the loved ones of the deceased & prayers for those injured in the aftermath of the flash floods.”