The identities of Amarnath pilgrims, who died in the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst near the holy cave of Lord Shiva on Friday, are being ascertained.
This was stated by Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF), Rajababu Singh on Saturday. He said NDRF, SDRF, and different security agencies are engaged in the massive rescue operation and the bodies are being airlifted to Srinagar. He added that the BSF, NDRF, SDRF, CRPF, Army and J&K Police launched a rescue operation quickly after the cloudburst happened. The BSF was airlifting were from the Neelgath to Srinagar.
“Some bodies have been ascertained,’’ he said. “ The bodies will be airlifted to their native places for last rites.” The BSF has pressed into service Mi-17 choppers to speed up the relief and rescue operation.
The focus is on shifting the injured to the base camp hospitals. The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has also provided helpline numbers for information.
Meanwhile, the J&K administration is closely monitoring the situation. “Spoke to Hon'ble PM and HM and briefed them about the situation and assured them all help,” tweeted J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. “ Our priority is to save the lives of the people. Instructions have been given to provide all assistance to the pilgrims. I am closely monitoring the situation.’’
Around 5.30pm on Friday, a cloudburst at lower Amarnath cave caused flash floods resulting in the death of 16 pilgrims while 40 others sustained injuries .
In view of the disaster, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has cancelled leaves of all staff.
Chief medical officers of North & Central Kashmir- Srinagar and Budgam- Bandipora, Baramulla and Budgam have been directed to send additional doctors and paramedical staff along with drugs, disposables and emergency aid kits to Baltal. Baltal is located around 80 km from Srinagar. The yatra started on June 30 and will continue for 43 days.
In the last two years, the annual pilgrimage was disallowed due to the Covid pandemic. This year a record number of 8 lakh yatris are expected to take part.
The devotees come from all over India for obeisance at the holy cave located 45km in from Pahalgam in Anantnag in south Kashmir. It takes a few days of trekking for the yatris to reach the cave from Pahalgam where the ice stalagmite resembles the Shiva Linga, which waxes from May to August and gradually wanes thereafter. This structure is said to grow and shrink with the phases of the moon, reaching its height during the summer festival. The cave is considered an abode of Lord Shiva by the Hindus.
Many pilgrims prefer to take the shorter and less arduous route from Baltal to reach the cave.
The cave was discovered by a Muslim shepherd of Butta Malik in 1850 when he was grazing the cattle. Since then the cave has attained the status of a holy pilgrimage attracting thousands of devotees every year.
