Amarnath Cloudburst Highlights: 16 dead; relief & rescue operations to continue overnight

The death toll in the flash flood triggered by heavy rain near the Amarnath cave shrine rose to 16 on Saturday as the search operations continued without a break amid fears that many are still trapped under the debris.
 

Undeterred by the deadly flash floods that have claimed at least 16 lives at Baltal, devotees thronged the Amarnath Yatra base camp in Jammu on Saturday with a "high degree of enthusiasm and devotion" for their onward journey to the cave shrine situated at a height of 3,880 metres in the south Kashmir Himalayas.

Expressing grief over the tragedy that occurred on Friday, the pilgrims said they have no fear as they have full faith in Lord Shiva, adding that it would be a great privilege for them if they die in the abode of the god.

The 43-day annual pilgrimage started on June 30 from the twin routes -- the traditional 48-km route from Nunwan in Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag and the 14-km shorter but steep Baltal route in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir.
 

"4 Mi-17V5 and 4 Cheetal helicopters of the Indian Air Force were deployed for rescue and relief efforts at the Amarnath shrine today. Air assets continue to be on standby at all major air bases in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh area," Air Force said.

The Indian Army is relentlessly carrying out the rescue operation of injured Amarnath Yatris in the cloud burst which struck Baltal base camp yesterday.

The officials said that the rescue team immediately rushed to the site on getting information about casualties while adding that an Infantry Battalion led by a Colonel along with Quick Reaction Teams, an additional company worth of personnel from Sector RR, and a team from Special Forces reached Holy Cave along with specialized rescue equipment to undertake the Rescue Ops.

“Through the night, Commander Sect RR & CO Infantry Battalion oversaw and coordinated rescue ops from the Holy Cave and Nilgrar. Medical resources at Holy cave and Nilgrar were activated and additional resources deployed,” officials said.

As per officials, Nine Surveillance Detachments with HHTI, NVDs, and other ni sights were also deployed for search ops.

“Hand Held Thermal Imagers, Night Vision Devices, and other night sights were used for search. Two ALH helicopters were moved for Casualty Evacuation at Holy Cave, however owing to bad weather situation night landing at Cave was unsuccessful,” officials said.

Apart from that, two Through Wall Radars and two Search and Rescue dog squads were also moved to Holy Cave for rescue ops. “The search, rescue, and medical effort continued at daybreak.”

At 06.45 AM, the officials said, the first ALH landed at the site to commence evacuation of the injured. A total of 15 fatal and 63 injured Yatris have been rescued.

“Both Army and Civilian helicopters are carrying out relentless sorties to evacuate the injured and the dead. Injured Yatris medical treatment is ongoing. A total of 28 patients have been evacuated from Holy Cave to Advanced Dressing Station Nilagrar.”

As per officials, after stabilizing, 11 have further been moved to SKIMS Srinagar in civil helicopters for treatment. “15 dead bodies have been moved from Holy Cave to Nilagrar. Stranded Yatris are being escorted by Indian Army personnel till Baltal since the track is slushy and slippery.’

Simultaneously, the army said, the search was also commenced at daybreak at Amarnath Nar at Sangam for any possible casualties. Lt Gen ADS Aujla, GOC Chinar Corps, and Maj Gen Sanjiv Singh Slaria, GOC Kilo Force visited the Holy Cave early in the morning to review the rescue and medical efforts being undertaken by the Indian Army.

The GOC Chinar Corps also interacted with the Yatris and locals and assured them of all possible help from the Indian Army. Citizens have been advised to contact the Army helpline number + 91 9149720998 for assistance/inquiry.

“Callers are also advised to have details of Yatris such as Name, Yatra registration / RFID number, Contact number, Aadhar number, and the last known location and time.”

The officials said that the Indian Army is committed to assisting the Yatris in all possible ways and under all circumstances. “The rescue and medical efforts will continue through the day and details will be updated for the general information of the public.”

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high level meeting earlier today to review the ongoing rescue and relief operation at Shri Amarnathji holy cave. 

The meeting observed two-minute silence to pay tribute to devotees who lost their lives in an unfortunate incident yesterday.

"Critically injured people were airlifted to Srinagar. Two people who were buried but were alive were rescued. We're taking all precautionary steps. 41 missing as per J&K police out of which some were rescued. Yatra may resume within a day or two," said Kuldeep Singh, DG, CRPF.

35 pilgrims, who were injured in the Amarnath flash floods, have been discharged following treatment. 17 people are getting the treatment and are likely to get discharged tonight, said Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) ffficials.

The details of the people injured in flash floods at the lower cave of holy Amarnath Shinde have been released by the administration.

The relief and search operation will continue overnight. At least 16 people died in the flash floods triggered by heavy rain near the Amarnath cave shrine, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Zone Vijay Kumar said.

Officials said 15,000 stranded pilgrims were shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni and 25 injured people were rushed to hospitals after the flash flood and landslides rummaged through tents and community kitchens on Friday afternoon.
 

Troops of BSF K14(184 bn) in action at the holy cave for relief and rescue operation.

"We hope govt will say explain what happened and how. The basis on which tents were put up at such a risky place should be investigated. It is the first time tents were placed there. This can be a human error," said Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on the Amarnath cloudburst incident.

"The incident is unfortunate. An investigation into the matter is necessary, government needs to explain what happened. We also hope good compensation would be provided to families of deceased persons," he added.

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha visited SKIMS Srinagar to enquire about health of pilgrims who were injured in yesterday's unfortunate incident of a cloudburst. 

Pilgrims who were rescued by the Indian army from the Holy cave after the cloudburst was seen praising the Indian Army for saving their precious lives. They raised slogans like 'Indian Army Zindabad' in support of the forces and shared their experiences.

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, "After the incident, Police, NDRF, and Security Forces are currently at work. Till now 15 bodies have been recovered, 35 are injured, they are rescued & are stable. All our jawans are working here & removing debris. By today evening we will clear debris".

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took cognisance of the Amarnath Cloudburst and expressed his condolences to those who lost their lives in the incident. 

Indian Air Force has pressed its transport and helicopter assets into service for rescue and relief operations at Amarnath. Mi-17V5 helicopters have inducted NDRF and civil administration personnel at Panchtarni and rescued 21 survivors. The helicopters have also brought back six mortal remains. Further operations by IAF Mi-17V5 and Cheetal helicopters are in progress. Aircraft are on standby at all major air bases in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh areas: Indian Air Force

Prayers and Hawans are being held in the temple in order to pay tribute to the Amarnath cloudburst victims and also for the safety of those who are trapped.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has been monitoring the situation the entire situation since last night. The directions were passed to immediately move Yatris from HolyCave to Baltal base camp. Additional forces were also moved to base camps. LG Sinha also spoke to the Financial Commissioner Health multiple times and directed to move doctors to base camps and put hospitals on standby.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami speaks to about 12 people from the state who are stuck in the cloudburst affected Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir. 

5 dead bodies out of 16 dead pilgrims have been identified. Rescue operations continue

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his concerns and said, "People of Uttarakhand are also stuck in the cloudburst affected areas of Amarnath. We are making all efforts to rescue them. I would also request Union Home Minister and their LG (Manoj Sinha) to make all possible arrangements to rescue them".

The forces have now deployed sniffer dogs to get help in rescue operations. Dogs have indicated at three places and the evacuation is currently underway.  

Rescue operation in progress in the cloudburst-affected areas in Jammu & Kashmir's Amarnath 

29 people have been rescued of which 9 were heavily injured, informed IAF officials. Continuous debris clearing and search for missing continue near the cloudburst-affected areas. 

BSF informed that 9 bodies have been airlifted from Neel Grath to Srinagar by BSF MI-17 Chopper. Amid the cloudburst, the chopper been pressed into action to air transport injured persons and dead bodies as well from Neelgrah helipad/ Baltal to BSF Camp Srinagar for further treatment or further ferrying bodies to their homes.

16 confirmed deaths and about 40 still seem to be missing. No landslide, but the rain continues, though no problem in rescue work. 4 NDRF teams with over 100 rescuers in rescue work. Besides, the Indian Army, SDRF, CRPF & others continue to rescue: NDRF DG Atul Karwal

Injured pilgrims are being taken away to the hospital for further treatment in an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter from the Amarnath cave site. Induction of choppers from Ladakh sector into Sri valley difficult due to bad weather, informed IAF officials

J&K: Due to heavy overnight rainfall and landslides, a portion of the road got damaged and washed away in the Mendhar area.

According to the weather update, a flash flood alert has been sounded at vulnerable spots of the Amarnath cave area for the next 1 hour-- from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.  As per the forecast, the weather will be generally cloudy and witness light to moderate rain. Rainwater from the upper catchment may generate flash floods or shooting stones at vulnerable spots.

• Jammu-Batote: Cloudy

• Batote-Phalgam: Cloudy

• Pahalgam-HolyCave: Cloudy              

• Baltal-HolyCave: Cloudy

To find the missing persons and dead bodies Amarnath Nala is being searched at Sangam base by the Indian Army. A rescue operation is being carried out along the Nala by Army.

On Saturday morning, Army personnel reach Nilgrar and Baltal to evacuate the affected in the aftermath of the cloudburst incident which was reported.

BSF MI 17 chopper has been pressed into action to air transport injured persons and dead bodies as well from Neelgrah helipad/ Baltal to BSF Camp Srinagar for further treatment or further ferrying bodies to their homes.

IGP Kashmir & Divisional Commissioner reach Amarnath cave to monitor the ongoing rescue operations.

Major Pankaj Kumar, Nodal Medical Officer, Northern Route said about 10 patients were there, 2 received head injuries, 5 have fracture and 2-3 cases of hypothermia. The evacuation and rescue operation continues in the cloudburst-affected areas.

GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen ADS Aujla, GOC Kilo Force Maj Gen SS Slaria reach the spot amid rescue operations after the Amarnath cloudburst.

At least 15,000 pilgrims, who were stranded near the Amarnath holy cave in Jammu and Kashmir due to a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst, have been shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni, an ITBP spokesperson said on Saturday.

The border guarding force has also expanded its route opening and protection parties from lower part of the holy cave up to Panjtarni, he said.

The flash flood near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir swept away scores of people, killing at least 13 and swamping tents and community kitchens on Friday evening.

The yatra that began on June 30 has been suspended following the tragedy and a decision on its resumption will be taken after rescue operations get over, a senior administration official had said.

"Most of the yatris, who were stranded near holy cave area due to the flash flood that occurred last evening, have been shifted to Panjtarni. The evacuation continued till 3.38 am.

"No yatri is left on the track. About 15,000 people have been safely shifted till now," the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) spokesperson said.

A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said doctors and medical staff of the paramilitary force treated nine patients who were critically injured in the floods.

"They have been rescued to lower altitude Neelgrath base camp," he said.

A small BSF team is also deployed at the Neelgrath helipad to assist the pilgrims coming from the holy cave.

About 150 yatris stayed at the BSF camp created in Panjtarni on Friday night and 15 patients have been airlifted to Baltal on Saturday morning, he said.

(PTI)

Meanwhile, the Baltal Route Pilgrims have been stopped at Ramban and the Yatris will stay there until officials give a go-ahead. Additionally, Pahalgam route Yatra will be stopped at Mir Bazar, Anantnag and will be allowed further once Yatra resumes.

Indian Army Doctor said that there was a landslide due to heavy rainfall. He said they received 30 to 35 casualties, out of which 13 are fatal. He said, 'We indian army, along with civil authorities gave initial treatment to the patients. We saved many lii am with 2 of my patients which were initially in a bad state. Now they are fine'.

All 10 patients shifted to SKIMS soura in civil helicopter after stabilising them in ADS Nilagrar. 

Due to the Flash flood at Holy cave, yatris were told to move towards Panjtarni. Army camp at Sangam provided clothing and food, and did arrangement for the night stay at Sangam for the yatris who were not able to move to Panjtarni.

According to sources, the following is the BSF Response and Role in Rescue Operations at Cloudburst site Holy Cave:

1. One Coy of 49 Bn BSF deployed at the lower holy cave is working for the rescue of yatris.

2. BSF Doctor and his team treating the injured and yatris at the lower holy cave.

3. One Section is deployed at the Neelgrath Heli site assisting in the rescue of patients coming from the holy cave.

4. About 150 yatris were accommodated by BSF Panjtarni camps for a night stay on 08 July 2022.

5. All BSF Reps are continuously working for rescue and sharing information with higher headquarters.

ITBP PRO Vivek Pandey spoke to Republic as the rescue operation continues and informed that the officials are intensifying the search operations. He informed that certain tents were washed away and they are also searching the place where debris accumulated. Pandey said, "We may find more people under the debris" by  Saturday afternoon and noted that rescue operations have already led 14,000 to 15,000 people to safety. 

It has been known that the first sortie with two cars landed at Nilagrar. For patients in ADS, further moves are coordinated. Moreover, sources have reported that four more patients received at Nilagrar in the second sortie. Med supplies were also taken by helicopter to Holy cave in the same sortie.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Deeply pained by the tragedy near the holy shrine of Amarnath in Jammu & Kashmir. I pray for well-being of the devotees there and wish speedy recovery of the injured persons."

In the wake of Amarnath Cloudburst, Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir cancelled all leaves of the staff (Regular/Contractual) and directed them to report to duties immediately. All the officers were directed to keep their mobiles switched on.

While rescue operations are in full swing,  first images were taken near Amarnath cave following the devastating cloudburst incident on Friday night.

All injured are being taken care of at all three base hospitals; upper holy cave, lower holy cave, Panjtarni & other nearby facilities. The injured patients are being managed well and are stable as of now, said Dr Afroza Shah, CMO Ganderbal.

At least 15 people have died and 40 others were left injured in floods triggered by a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir. While the Amarnath yatra remains suspended, rescue operations are ongoing by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) conducted a rescue operation early on Saturday. At least six teams are involved.

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Indian Air Forces officials have said that IAF Mi-17 helicopters have taken off from Srinagar to join the rescue operations at the Amarnath cave site. The aircraft have been on stand-by since morning but could not take off due to bad weather in Srinagar and adjoining areas.