 Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 25: In at least three massive cloud bursts near Amarnath Baltal base camp late last night, three pilgrims, including a minor girl and a boy, lost their lives while at least seven others were reported missing, besides injuries to 19 others. Nearly 100 vehicles and tents of pilgrims were destroyed.
According to official sources, in the three massive cloud bursts which struck Amarnath base camp on July 24 at about 11.30 pm, Deepak Singh, son of Gopal Prasad of Sunder Nagri, Delhi, Pooja (13), daughter of Prakash of Rajastan, and Vikram (12), son of Kailash of Rajasthan, were killed.
At least 19 people were injured and one of them, who was identified as Abdul Karim, a ponywalla, was airlifted by the shrine board authorities to SKIMS, Srinagar, while the others were undergoing treatment at Baltal Base camp.
Seven people were said to be missing. Sources identified them as Maiser, Anil Sahu, Ashaq Hussian Mir, Reyaz Ahmed Lone, Mustaq Ahmed, Ramdevi and Fayaz Ahmed Mir. Sources said many others who were missing since yesterday evening had reported to their camp sites.
On Saturday morning, army launched a massive relief and rescue operation at the Baltal base camp to save the pilgrims trapped in landslides triggered by the multiple cloudbursts which damaged around 100 vehicles and tents of pilgrims and washed away 12 temporary shops of locals.
The cloudbursts also damaged Sonamarg-Ghumri road which was closed for vehicular traffic movement by authorities and handed over to Border Road Organization (BRO) to deploy its men and machinery to remove blockades and ensure the earliest possible opening of the road.
Governor N N Vohra, who is the Chairman of Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), convened an urgent review meeting this morning at the Raj Bhavan and took stock of the situation.
While expressing his grief over the loss of precious lives, he conveyed his heartfelt condolence to the affected families and asked SASB CEO to arrange immediate payment of ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
Last week, two cloudbursts had struck Baltal base camp area and taken two lives.
Sources said the pilgrimage was resumed this morning from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes, and 2940 persons left from Chandanwari access Control Gate and 1276 persons from the Domel Access Control Gate by 11 and Helicopter services from both Pahalgam and Neelgrath helipads were also started and over 2200 Yatris paid obeisance at the Holy Cave by 12 noon today.
So far 2,91,053 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the Holy Cave in last 24 days of the 59-day yatra. |
