New Delhi: At least 13 passengers were killed, five others injured and several missing after a cloudburst near the Amarnath cave shrine on Friday (July 8, 2022) evening. The cloud burst near the temple at around 5.30 pm. At least three community kitchens and 25 passenger tents were washed away in the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst, officials said.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has shared the helpline number so that the family members of the pilgrims can contact the authorities and get the relevant information.
5- Helpline Number:
NDRF:
011-23438252
011-23438253
Kashmir Divisional Helpline:
0194-2496240
Shrine Board Helpline:
0194-2313149
The CEO of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board also stated that:
- Rescue operation is on with NDRF, SDRF, JKP and other teams.
- The focus is on shifting the injured to base camp hospitals.
- ALH choppers swung into action for the rescue. ALH chopper deployed at Panchtarini for evacuation.
- The search operation is on to trace the casualties.
Additionally, Kashmir’s Inspector General of Police, Vijay Kumar told reporters that rescue operations by various agencies are on, the situation is under control and the injured are being airlifted for treatment.
Officials said that after the cloudburst, the water in the top/sides of the cave increased after heavy rain in the upper areas.
The yatra was flagged off on June 30 after being suspended for two years due to the COVID pandemic and over one lakh pilgrims have completed the pilgrimage so far.
(with agency input)