At least 16 people have been killed and 40 people missing after sudden rains triggered flash floods during an annual Hindu pilgrimage to the shrine in India-administered Kashmir, officials said.
The cloudburst on Friday near the mountain cave revered by Hindus sent a wall of water down a gorge and swept away about two dozen camps and two makeshift kitchens, officials said.About 15,000 pilgrims have been moved to safety from near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst swept away scores of people, killing at least 16. More than 40 people are still missing, officials said.An estimated 16,000 people were camped in the mountains when the rains struck. The region’s disaster management department said emergency workers were searching for several missing people.
“We found 16 bodies so far and at least 40 are missing,” an official from the state disaster response agency said.
“Security forces and all the rescue teams are looking for the missing and injured,” the official said on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to media.
The 43-day Amarnath yatra began after a gap of three years on June 30. In 2019, the yatra was cancelled midway ahead of the Centre scrapping Article 370 provisions of the Constitution. The pilgrimage did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his condolences in a post on Twitter, saying he was “anguished” by the incident.The Amarnath pilgrimage began on June 30 and tens of thousands of pilgrims have already visited the cave shrine where Hindus worship Lingam, a naturally formed ice stalagmite, as an incarnation of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration.
Hundreds of thousands of Hindus from across India take part in the pilgrimage, which lasts up to 45 days.
Authorities expected about a million people to take part in the pilgrimage, at 3,900 metres (12,800 feet) during the coming 43 days. The procession did not take place for two years amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Worshippers trek to the cave along two routes through forested mountain passes with a view of snowy peaks: a traditional one via the southern hill resort of Pahalgam that takes three days, or a one-day trip through northeastern Baltal. Some also use helicopter services to pay quick visits.
Hundreds of pilgrims have died in the past due to exhaustion and exposure to harsh weather during the journey through the icy mountains. In 1996, thousands of people were caught in a freak snowstorm during their trek, leading to more than 250 fatalities.
- According to officials, the cloudburst took place around 5.30 pm in the Baltal base camp after heavy rains.
- Teams of the Kashmir police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and National Disaster Response Force are conducting rescue operations. Rescue teams have recovered 13 bodies so far, and there is a fear that the toll may rise, officials said.
- Officials said water gushed through some functioning langars at the base camp. Three langars were washed away along with numerous tents.
- Phone lines have been disconnected and the yatra route damaged as water gushed from the top of the cave after heavy rains in the upper reaches, officials added.
- Kashmir IGP said the injured were being airlifted in a helicopter for treatment and the situation is under control as of now.
- The ITBP said the rain has stopped for now, but the yatra has been temporarily halted.
- Officials said people have been moved to a safer location. ITBP PRO Vivek Pandey said some of the routes have been washed away, and a makeshift system has been created. “Hope the yatra can start tomorrow morning,” he added.
- Officials on ground zero said boulders were brought down by the force of the water and there were debris strewn across the campsite. Some bodies were recovered from the debris and more could be buried, they added.
- Officials also said it will take an entire day to clear out the debris and restore the yatra route. Electricity has been temporarily disconnected to avoid accidents related to electrocution, they added.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah tweeted in response and said all possible assistance is being provided to affected pilgrims. “Anguished by the cloud burst 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,” Modi tweeted. Shah said, “Regarding the flash flood caused by cloudburst near the cave of Baba Amarnath ji, I have spoken to LG Shri @manojsinha_ ji and inquired about 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.”
