Amarnath flash floods not due to cloudburst, says IMD Director General

Heavy rainfall in Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir has claimed 16 lives. Over 28 mm of rain was recorded near the Amarnath caves between 4.30 pm and 6.30 pm on Friday, resulting in severe flash floods. Initially thought to be due to a cloudburst, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has now said that it was due to a localized rain event. Apart from the lives lost, the flash floods have destroyed tents and community kitchens installed near the shrine. The IMD’s automatic weather monitoring station at the Amarnath caves offers forecasts during the pilgrimage, but the mountains surrounding the shrine lack such a facility due to their inaccessible terrain.

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As per IMD director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the floods were possibly triggered by heavy rains in the upper reaches of the mountains near the shrine. The Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Srinagar, Sonam Lotus, shared Mohapatra’s view. “Such rain had happened earlier this year as well,” quotes Hindustan Times.

Rescue operations continue as over 40 people are estimated to be missing. Joint efforts by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army and associated agencies intensify their efforts with sniffer dogs being used to scour for bodies that may lie hidden under the debris. Over 15000 people have been rescued. Army choppers have flown the injured to a makeshift hospital at the nearby Baltal base camp. Those requiring further treatment will be transferred to Srinagar.

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The flash floods swept through the Kali Mata Y Junction, near the Baltal base camp. The Amarnath yatra has been stopped until further notice. The Met department predicts heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms over Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.