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| (Cloud brust near Amarnath cave Tens swept away) |
Clouds burst on Friday afternoon near Amarnath Cave, (Indian-administered Kashmir) as a result of which a large amount of water came down from the upper part of Guppa, which brought with it a heavy load of stones and a lot of debris.
Azadi Times: The tents and anchors set up for the pilgrims near Ghuppa were washed away, leaving dozens of pilgrims stranded. By late evening, the bodies of 16 people, including several women, had been exhumed, with more than 4 missing. It is believed that 40 pilgrims were injured in the upper part of Ghappa. The army was called in and rescue operations continued till late at night.
How did the incident happen?
It was reportedly cloudy on Friday morning and a little wind was blowing. Eyewitnesses told Azmi Kashmir that there was light rain in the morning which continued at around 9 am, but after that it became clear and a little sunshine came out. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon, light clouds covered the area again and then dark clouds took over.
Light rain started at around 4 o’clock and immediately a phase of heavy rain came and with it thunder and clouds burst which caused havoc near Ghappa. He said that after ten to fifteen minutes the rain stopped and the black clouds parted. He said that it was the largest anchor in the Yatra route where more than 100 pilgrims used to eat at the same time.
At that time, dozens of pilgrims were sleeping in one part of the anchor and dozens of people were eating food. There were only big stones there now. He said that the water brought with him so many big stones from the upper part that big machines would be needed to break them. The relay swept away more than 25 tents and two anchors.
Authorities say 13 bodies were recovered by late evening, including several women. Authorities say the bodies have not yet been identified. The death toll is expected to rise as at least 40 and at most 70 people are still missing, Chief Medical Officer Ganderbal Dr Ms Afroza said.
As many as 40 injured people were evacuated from the tourist relay, who were bandaged, while two suffered injuries in winter and some had broken bones. He said that the employees of the upper and lower part of Ghappa said that those who sustained head injuries were airlifted to Skims Sura and Trauma Hospital, Kangan and Ganderbal.
He said that 28 doctors have been deployed on duty as emergency while 16 ambulances have been prepared from different hospitals. Director Health Services Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Rather is present at Baltal Base Camp and Health Department employees have been kept active on all routes of Baltal.
The injured were shifted to temporary medical facilities but most of them were shifted to Srinagar. NDRF, army, police and Seoul administration are working hard to evacuate the pilgrims. The army said that 4 additional teams were sent for rescue operations in Ghappa. He said that a total of 10 teams were working.
