After a cloudburst triggered flash floods on Tuesday, 26 July, about 4,000 pilgrims were shifted from near the Amarnath holy shrine on Wednesday, 27 July, just two weeks after 16 people died due to cloudbursts in the region.
NDTV reported that rescue operations are underway in the area, adding that no casualties have been reported yet. The Yatra was temporarily suspended on Tuesday after heavy rainfall in the mountains around the shrine.
A cloudburst had also occurred on 8 July, which had triggered flash floods – leading to the deaths of at least 16 people and leaving more than 30 wounded. However, despite the risk of another such incident, thousands proceeded towards the Amarnath cave on Monday.
The 43-day Yatra began after a three year hiatus on 30 June from two camps: the traditional Nunwan-Pahalgam in Anantnag and Baltal in Ganderbal.
Following the centre’s abrogation of Article 370, the Yatra was cancelled mid-way. The pilgrimage did not take place in 2020 and 2021, owed to the COVID pandemic.
Himachal Met Department Expecting Heavy Rainfall
Meanwhile the Himachal Pradesh meteorological department said on Wednesday that heavy rain is expected in the state over the next few days, adding that it may lead to disruption of essential services and further lead to flash floods.
The Met department said:
“The ongoing rainfall activity is very likely to increase from July 28 to 30. Moderate to heavy rainfall associated with one or two spells of very heavy rain in parts of Shimla, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Solan, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba and adjoining areas is expected during the next 48-72 hours with peak rainfall in the next 36-48 hours.”Himachal Pradesh Meteorological Department
“Moderate rainfall with isolated spells of heavy rainfall is likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur during the next 48 hours. Flash floods are feared in parts of the two districts during this period,” it added.
The met department further fears reduced visibility, increased runoff in streams and other channels leading to flash floods and disruption of essential services like water, electricity and communications in mid and high hills in the state.
Several vehicles were also stuck after a flash flood led to a road blockade in Lahaul-Spiti, the state disaster management department said.
As per information, a flash flood occurred at Tozing Nullah on Tandi-Udaipur route in Lahaul sub-division due to which the road has been blocked, it said.
Two Dead After Flash Flood In Tamil Nadu
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, at least two people died after people were swept away in Tamil Nadu after the Courtallam Falls in Tenkasi district were flooded, news agency ANI reported.
The Tenkasi Collector told news agency ANI that the incident occurred due to incessant rainfall in the neighbouring Kerala over the last few days.
(With inputs from ANI and NDTV)
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