Indian army, CRPF, J&K police and civil administration have launched a massive rescue and relief operation in the area. Dog squads have been deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations.
A massive cloudburst triggered flash floods at the Amarnath Yatra base camp leaving a trail of death and destruction at Baltal in the famed health resort of Sonamarg on Friday night.
Three people were killed and 10 others were injured while nine others are still missing in the flash floods. Scores of tents and vehicles have been washed away by the gushing waters. Sonamarg-Kargil national highway has been closed for traffic after the flash floods washed away a portion of the road.
Indian army, CRPF, J&K police and civil administration have launched a massive rescue and relief operation in the area. Dog squads have been deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations.
Eyewitnesses said they heard a huge thud at around 10.36 pm and within seconds they saw huge amount of debris coming down from the mountain side.
"All of us ran out and we saw huge amount of debris and mountain tissues coming down. It took everything and everyone by surprise. From Sonamarg to Baltal there are landslides at seven places, major one at fish point", Dr Suneem Khan, doctor posted with paramilitary force for yatra duty told dna.
Chief executive officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) PK Tripathi said around 50 tents/shops and the parking area outside the main gate of the Baltal Base Camp has been badly damaged.
"Bodies of Deepak Singh of Delhi, and two children Pooja 13, and Vikram 12, both hailing from Rajasthan, have been recovered. The families of deceased children had set up road side kiosks on the track leading to the yatra camp", said Tripathi.
A seriously injured ponywalla Abdul Karim was air lifted to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar for specialised treatment. Ten injured persons were admitted to the Baltal Base Hospital.
J&K governor NN Vohra, who is the chairman of SASB, has asked CEO to arrange immediate payment of ex-gratia relief of Rs one lakh each to next of the kin of the deceased.
Ashish Kumar Jha, CRPF spokesman at Srinagar, told dna that the paramilitary forces have pulled out 30 persons from the debris alive.
"Otherwise the casualties would have been higher. Normally 3000 to 4000 yatries remain at the base camp daily. So far all the yatries are said to be safe", he said.
Meanwhile, the pilgrimage continued from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. Around 2940 persons left from Chandanwari access control gate and 1276 persons from the Domel access control gate by 11 am .
"Helicopter services from both Pahalgam and Neelgrath helipads are also operating and over 2200 Yatris had paid obeisance at the Holy Cave by 12 noon", said an official spokesman.
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