No evacuation received yet, Officials ‘Rescue ops launched, chopper pressed into service to evacuate injured person' PM, Union HM, J&K LG, others express grief; Priority is to save lives, says Sinha
Northlines News Desk
Srinagar, Jul 08 : 13 persons were killed and nearly 40 others were injured after a cloudburst hit at lower Amarnath cave at Kali Mata Y Junction on Friday, officials said here.
Chief Medical Officer (CM) Ganderbal, Dr Afroza Shah said that although the exact number of casualties is not known yet, the figures so far received said that 13 persons have died in the cloudburst.
She also said that more than 40 persons have got injured including two with head injuries in the incident. “The rescue operation is still going on,” she said, adding that the injured are being given first aid and the persons with head injury are being airlifted for specialized treatment.
CMO Ganderbal further stated the base hospital has been kept in a ready mode where critical care specialists and paramedical staff is deployed. “At least 28 doctors and 98 paramedical staff are at the base hospital to tackle the emergency situation,” she said, adding that 16 ambulances have been kept in a ready mode, but said that no evacuation has been received yet.
“All the injured as per the reports received are stable,” she said and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Moreover, Kashmir Zone Police in a tweet quoting Inspector General of Police (IGP) confirmed the death of eight persons and said that the injured persons are being airlifted for treatment while the situation is under control.
Soon after the incident took place, a massive rescue operation was launched while chopper was also pressed into service to evacuate the injured persons.
The officials told that three langers got washed away due to heavy flow of water near the holy cave. They said a few persons are reportedly missing after the incident occurred at around 05:30 PM.
They said that the rescue operation has been launched, adding that ITBP, CRPF, J&K Police, Army and others have been involved in the massive rescue operation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Lieutenant Governor Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha and other top authorities expressed pain and sorrow over the incident.
PM in a tweet said that he spoke to J&K LG and took stock of the situation and said that all possible assistance is being provided to the affected.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that he is in constant touch with the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. He, in a tweet, also said that NDRF, CRPF, BSF and local administration are engaged in the rescue work and said that saving lives is our priority.
President of India, Ram Nath Kovind expressed condolences to the bereaved families and hoped that the yatra would resume soon.
Lieutenant Governor, J&K also expressed grief over the loss of lives and said that rescue operation is in progress.
