Yatra suspended, pilgrims shifted to Panchtarni
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, July 8: At least 13 persons were killed while 30 to 35 are reported missing when a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath Ji in South Kashmir Himalayas triggered flash floods this evening that also damaged 25 to 30 tents and five community kitchens, officials said.
The officials said 30 to 35 people are missing while five have been rescued.
NDRF Director, Atul Karwal said that a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was based in the affected area and two more teams from nearby locations of Brari Marg and Panchtarni have been rushed to the spot soon after the tragedy.
“We have three teams comprising about 75 rescuers in action right now” Karwal said.
An official of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) said that the Amarnath Yatra which started on June 30 has been temporarily suspended following the tragedy, adding that a decision on its resumption will be taken after rescue operations end.
The cloudburst struck around 5.30 pm amid heavy rainfall, he said.
According to automatic weather station at the holy cave, weather officials said, the holy cave area received 31 mm rainfall from 4-30 pm to 6-30 pm.
The gushing waters hit the base camp outside the shrine, damaging 25 to 30 tents and five community kitchens where the pilgrims are served food, they said.
Karwal said 13 people were killed, adding all the security forces and NDRF rescuers present in the area are working to ensure that relief and rescue operations are conducted as long as required.
ITBP spokesperson, Vivek Kumar Pandey said all the forces are working tirelessly to ensure each and every missing person is accounted for.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up four helpline numbers where people can get information about the cloudburst.
The 43-day Amarnath yatra began after a gap of three years. In 2019, the yatra was cancelled midway ahead of the Centre abrogating Article 370 provisions of the Constitution. The pilgrimage did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
The Government has suspended the yatra movement to holy cave from both the tracks following the cloudburst and started rescue operations. The yatris camping near the holy cave were asked to move via Panchtarni track by the authorities.
The eyewitness at the cave shrine said that the cloudburst took place at 5-30 pm and by that time maximum pilgrims had left the area after performing darshan. He said in the morning there were about 10,000 pilgrims near the cave and had the unfortunate cloudburst taken place in the morning the casualties could have been much more higher and there would have been lot of damage.
They said due to heavy rain in the morning the yatris could not move for darshan and they took refuge in camps and community kitchens with the result they had to wait for long time to leave for darshan. “Had the weather been pleasant during the morning the number of yatris camping near the cave would have been very less due to which the casualties could have been averted to a great extent,” they added.
They said the Bhandara people and Sewadars exhibited tremendous courage in rescuing the pilgrims as they had the past experience of cloudburst. Soon seeing that the water has started coming from upper reaches the Langar people became alert and shifted people by asking them to climb over the hill lock or rush to safer places otherwise the casualties could have been much higher after the gushing waters reached down streams.
They said soon after the cloudburst the speed of water was slow due to which the majority of pilgrims, langar people and Sewadars got breathing time to shift to safer places.
They said the SDRF, NDRF and security personnel including jawans of J&K Police also came to rescue of the people and helped them in shifting to the safer places. However, five community kitchens and 25 to 30 tents were completely perished in the flash floods triggered by cloudburst.
They said 95 percent of the pilgrims which were near the cave have been shifted to Panchtarni while some Langar people and Sewadars are staying at the disaster site. They, however, said had the authorities and SASB not taken the prompt action there would have been complete chaos and confusion.
Meanwhile 12,000 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave today while 4522 yatris left Jammu for twin base camps of Baltal and Nunwan Pahalgam in a cavalcade of 214 vehicles early this morning from here. With this a total of 1,14, 542 pilgrims performed darshan since the 43 -day yatra started on June 30.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration today set up a helpline for the Amarnath Yatra, which has been suspended after a cloudburst near the holy cave left 10 persons dead and scores of others missing.
The Lt Governor administration and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) gave out four telephone numbers where people can get information about the cloudburst.
“Helpline numbers for Amarnath Yatra include
NDRF: 011-23438252 011-23438253
Kashmir Divisional Helpline: 0194-2496240
Shrine Board Helpline: 0194-2313149,” the public relations department of the Government and the SASB tweeted from their respective handles.
“Focus of administration is on rescue operation with NDRF, SDRF, JKP and other teams in action,” the administration added.
Temporary hospitals have been set up at Sonamarg and other places to prrovide assistance to pilgrims.
J&K administration also pressed advanced helicopters into service for rescue operations.
Prez, PM, HM, LG express shock over tragedy
President Ram Nath Kovind said he was distressed to know about the loss of lives in the cloudburst near Shri Amarnath Ji cave shrine.
“My condolences to the bereaved families. Relief and rescue measures are in full swing to provide succour to those stranded. I pray and hope that the yatra be soon resumed,” Kovind tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the incident.
“Anguished by the cloudburst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to @manojsinha_ Ji and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected,” he said in a tweet.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed Central forces and Jammu and Kashmir administration to ensure swift rescue operations.
Shah said in a Tweet in Hindi that he has spoken to J&K LG Manoj Sinha to take stock of the situation.
“NDRF, CRPF, BSF and local administration are engaged in the rescue work. Saving people’s lives is our priority. I wish all the devotees well,” the Minister said.
Sinha said he is closely monitoring the situation and instructed all concerned to provide necessary assistance to the pilgrims.
“Deeply pained by unfortunate incident of cloudburst at Shri Amarnathji holy cave, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Rescue operation by NDRF, SDRF, BSF, Army, JKP & Shrine board admn is in progress,” he tweeted.
Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh has also expressed his pain and grief over the unfortunate incident.
In his tweet Dr Jitendra Singh said “Disturbed to receive the news of unfortunate cloudburst over the lower holy cave of Shri Amarnath Ji. I am in constant touch with the UT administration. The SDRF and NDRF teams have promptly swung into action to provide all possible relief and assistance.
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