At least 13 people died in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst near the holy cave of Amarnath in south Kashmir and mud and rocks fell on tents and community kitchens, police and NDRF officials said.
An official on the ground said that around 30-35 people are missing while five have been rescued.
The cloudburst that occurred around 5.30 pm resulted in heavy rain and thick streams of mud rolled down the valley from the hill slopes.
According to the automatic weather station in the holy cave, the region received 31 mm of rain from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
“It was only a highly localized cloud over the holy cave. Earlier this year also it had rained like this. There was no flash floods,” said Sonam Lotus, director of the Meteorological Department, Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, the water entered the base camp outside the shrine, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens that served food to the pilgrims.
Here’s what we know so far:
A Union Territory administration official said the Amarnath Yatra, which began on June 30, has been postponed following the tragedy and a decision on resuming it will be taken after the rescue operation is over.
NDRF Director General Atul Karwal told PTI that a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is already present in the affected area and two more from adjoining Burari Marg and Panchtarni places have reached there.
“We have three teams, of which around 75 rescue teams are currently in action,” Karwal said.
Temporary hospitals have been set up at Sonmarg and other places to help the injured.
At present, all the injured are being treated at all the three base hospitals. Upper Holy Cave, Lower Holy Cave, Panjtarni and other nearby facilities. Dr Afroza Shah, CMO, Ganderbal, Jammu and Kashmir said that the injured patients are being managed well and their condition is stable now.
An Integrated Command Center under the charge of Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) has been set up besides setting up helpline numbers in South Kashmir, Srinagar and Anantnag in Delhi to help the families of the affected people.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has also pressed into service advanced light helicopters for rescue operations. The video shows water flowing from the tent and people running to safety with gas stoves and blankets. A group of rescuers were seen digging the earth with bare hands as they searched for survivors under the rubble of rock and mud.
Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir has canceled all leave of employees (regular/contract) and directed them to report on duty immediately. All the officers were instructed to keep their mobiles switched on.
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ITBP spokesperson Vivek Kumar Pandey said that the security forces are working tirelessly to ensure the account of every missing person.
ITBP personnel also helped the pilgrims and provided first aid to the injured at Sangam Top. These pilgrims have been diverted from the holy cave to Panchtarni after the flash floods near the holy cave. Search and rescue operations are on.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has created four helpline numbers where people can get information about the incident.
NDRF: 011-23438252, 011-23438253
Kashmir Divisional Helpline: 0194-2496240
Shrine Board Helpline: 0194-2313149
The 43-day Amarnath Yatra began on June 30 after a gap of three years.
In 2019, the yatra was canceled midway before the Center abrogated provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution.
The pilgrimage did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.
(with inputs from PTI)