Srinagar, 27th July 2022: Around 4,000 pilgrims have been evacuated from near the holy cave of Amarnath after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst.

The incident comes two weeks after a cloudburst killed 15 people in the area. Rescue teams have been deployed. No casualties have been reported so far. The mountains around the holy Amarnath cave had received heavy rains yesterday afternoon, due to which the yatra was temporarily suspended.

The Amarnath Yatra to this 3,880 meter high temple of Lord Shiva takes place through the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal. The 43-day Amarnath Yatra began on June 30 after a gap of three years. In 2019, the yatra was canceled midway before the Centre’s decision to abrogate provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution. After this the pilgrimage was not done in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid epidemic.

15 Amarnath pilgrims died due to flash floods in the past: Government The government said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that 15 Amarnath pilgrims died due to flash floods in the past, but no person was reported missing. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai gave this information to the Upper House in a written reply to a question.

“How many pilgrims lost their lives due to flash floods during the holy Amarnath Yatra in July,” he was asked. Responding to this, Rai said, “As per the information given by the Jammu and Kashmir government, 15 people lost their lives due to the flash floods, but no person is reported missing.

Government agencies like NDRF, SDRF, Army, CAPF and government employees were deployed for search operation, rescue and relief of the pilgrims. They were immediately taken to safe places and camps and provided accommodation and food. The injured passengers were rushed to the nearest medical facilities.”