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Visuals of rescue operations near Amarnath cave shrine region that witnessed flash flood tragedy

At least 16 people have been reported dead after sudden rains triggered flash floods during an annual Hindu pilgrimage to an icy Himalayan cave in Kashmir on July 8 evening. 15,000 stranded pilgrims were shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni. Searches for the missing people continued without break after flash flood and landslides rummaged through tents and community kitchens.
At least 16 people have been reported dead after sudden rains triggered flash floods during an annual Hindu pilgrimage to an icy Himalayan cave in Kashmir on July 8 afternoon. 15,000 stranded pilgrims were shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni. Sear
At least 16 people have been reported dead after sudden rains triggered flash floods during an annual Hindu pilgrimage to an icy Himalayan cave in Kashmir on July 8 afternoon. 15,000 stranded pilgrims were shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni. Sear
Online Desk
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The heavy rain on July 8 evening near the mountain cave shrine revered by Hindus sent a wall of water down a gorge and swept away about two dozen camps and two makeshift kitchens, officials said. An estimated 10,000 people were in the mountains when the rains struck. (Photo | PTI)
The heavy rain on July 8 evening near the mountain cave shrine revered by Hindus sent a wall of water down a gorge and swept away about two dozen camps and two makeshift kitchens, officials said. An estimated 10,000 people were in the mountains when the rains struck. (Photo | PTI)
The India Meteorological Department said the deaths and destruction near the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir were due to a highly localised rain event and not due to a cloudburst. According to weather scientists, the shrine reported 31 mm of rainfall between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm on July 8, which is quite low to be categorised as a cloudburst. 'It was a highly localised cloud only over the holy cave. Such rain had happened earlier this year as well,' said Sonam Lotus, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Srinagar. IN PIC: Pilgrims return back to their base camp, at Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, on July 9, 2022. (Photo | PTI)
The India Meteorological Department said the deaths and destruction near the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir were due to a highly localised rain event and not due to a cloudburst. According to weather scientists, the shrine reported 31 mm of rainfall between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm on July 8, which is quite low to be categorised as a cloudburst. 'It was a highly localised cloud only over the holy cave. Such rain had happened earlier this year as well,' said Sonam Lotus, Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Srinagar. IN PIC: Pilgrims return back to their base camp, at Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, on July 9, 2022. (Photo | PTI)
A fresh batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims left from the Jammu base camp on July 9 for Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir. 'We are heading towards the Pahalgam camp and are hoping that yatra will resume. We pray to Baba Bholenath to protect all the pilgrims,' said a pilgrim. Earlier on July 8, the pilgrimage was suspended till the situation returns to normal, officials informed. IN PIC: Pilgrims return back to their base camp, at Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, on July 9, 2022. (Photo | PTI)
A fresh batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims left from the Jammu base camp on July 9 for Baltal and Pahalgam base camps in Kashmir. 'We are heading towards the Pahalgam camp and are hoping that yatra will resume. We pray to Baba Bholenath to protect all the pilgrims,' said a pilgrim. Earlier on July 8, the pilgrimage was suspended till the situation returns to normal, officials informed. IN PIC: Pilgrims return back to their base camp, at Baltal in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, on July 9, 2022. (Photo | PTI)
Army soldiers carry an injured pilgrim who was evacuated from the flash flood area near the Amarnath cave shrine by helicopter, at Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, on July 9, 2022. (Photo | PTI)
Army soldiers carry an injured pilgrim who was evacuated from the flash flood area near the Amarnath cave shrine by helicopter, at Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district of Central Kashmir, on July 9, 2022. (Photo | PTI)
An integrated command centre has been set up under the charge of the divisional commissioner of Kashmir while helpline numbers have been established in Anantnag in South Kashmir, Srinagar and in Delhi for families of pilgrims to know about the wellbeing of their kin. (Photo | PTI)
An integrated command centre has been set up under the charge of the divisional commissioner of Kashmir while helpline numbers have been established in Anantnag in South Kashmir, Srinagar and in Delhi for families of pilgrims to know about the wellbeing of their kin. (Photo | PTI)
The 43-day Amarnath Yatra is being held after a gap of three years. In 2019, the pilgrimage was cancelled midway ahead of the Centre abrogating Article 370 provisions of the Constitution. The pilgrimage did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. (Photo | PTI)
The 43-day Amarnath Yatra is being held after a gap of three years. In 2019, the pilgrimage was cancelled midway ahead of the Centre abrogating Article 370 provisions of the Constitution. The pilgrimage did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic. (Photo | PTI)
The Amarnath pilgrimage began on June 30 and tens of thousands of pilgrims have already visited the cave shrine where Hindus worship Lingam, a naturally formed ice stalagmite, as an incarnation of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration. The pilgrimage concludes on Aug. 11, a full-moon night that Hindus say commemorates Shiva revealing the secret of the creation of the universe. (Photo | AP)
The Amarnath pilgrimage began on June 30 and tens of thousands of pilgrims have already visited the cave shrine where Hindus worship Lingam, a naturally formed ice stalagmite, as an incarnation of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and regeneration. The pilgrimage concludes on Aug. 11, a full-moon night that Hindus say commemorates Shiva revealing the secret of the creation of the universe. (Photo | AP)
Worshippers trek to the cave along two routes through lush green meadows and rocky and forested mountain passes with a view of glacial lakes and snowy peaks. A traditional route via the southern hill resort of Pahalgam that takes three days while a trip through northeastern Baltal lasts one day. Some pilgrims use helicopter services to make quick visits. (Photo | PTI)
Worshippers trek to the cave along two routes through lush green meadows and rocky and forested mountain passes with a view of glacial lakes and snowy peaks. A traditional route via the southern hill resort of Pahalgam that takes three days while a trip through northeastern Baltal lasts one day. Some pilgrims use helicopter services to make quick visits. (Photo | PTI)
Hundreds of pilgrims have died in the past due to exhaustion and exposure to harsh weather during the journey through the icy mountains. In 1996, thousands of people were caught in a freak snowstorm during their trek, leading to more than 250 fatalities. (Photo | PTI)
Hundreds of pilgrims have died in the past due to exhaustion and exposure to harsh weather during the journey through the icy mountains. In 1996, thousands of people were caught in a freak snowstorm during their trek, leading to more than 250 fatalities. (Photo | PTI)
Apart from weather-related hazards, officials have said that pilgrims face an increased threat of attacks from Muslim rebels who have fought for decades against Indian rule. The pilgrimage has been targeted in past attacks by suspected rebels who accuse Hindu-majority India of using it as a political statement to bolster its claim on the Muslim-majority disputed region. (Photo | PTI)
Apart from weather-related hazards, officials have said that pilgrims face an increased threat of attacks from Muslim rebels who have fought for decades against Indian rule. The pilgrimage has been targeted in past attacks by suspected rebels who accuse Hindu-majority India of using it as a political statement to bolster its claim on the Muslim-majority disputed region. (Photo | PTI)
This year, for the first time, devotees are tagged with a wireless tracking system. Tens of thousands of police and soldiers guard the pilgrimage routes. (Photo | PTI)
This year, for the first time, devotees are tagged with a wireless tracking system. Tens of thousands of police and soldiers guard the pilgrimage routes. (Photo | PTI)
At least 50 pilgrims have been killed in three dozen attacks blamed on militants since an armed rebellion began in Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1989 for the region's independence or a merger with Pakistan, which controls a part of the territory. (Photo | PTI)
At least 50 pilgrims have been killed in three dozen attacks blamed on militants since an armed rebellion began in Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1989 for the region's independence or a merger with Pakistan, which controls a part of the territory. (Photo | PTI)
Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir
Amarnath Yatra
Flash Floods
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Amarnath pilgrims
Amarnath cave shrine
Amarnath Rains
Amarnath Cloudburst
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