In the view of the possible incidents of cloudbursts, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued an advisory and has ordered all SDMs, tehsildars of Ramban district to remain on high alert. This comes a day after a huge cloudburst was reported at around 5.30 pm on Friday in the lower reaches of Amarnath cave, where according to the Indo-Tibetian Border Police (ITBP), 16 casualties have taken place.
In the advisory, the J&K administration said, "All Sub Divisional Magistrates and their Tehsildars in District Ramban are hereby ordered to remain on high alert. Further SDRF component in the District, along with QRT teams, will also remain in active mode and keep their rescue equipment available."
At least 16 persons have so far reportedly been killed and 40 are feared missing in a cloudburst near the cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas Friday evening, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens, officials said.
Indian Air Force has pressed its transport and helicopter assets into service for rescue and relief operations at the site. Mi-17V5 helicopters have inducted NDRF and civil administration personnel at Panchtarni and rescued 21 survivors.
The helicopters have also brought back six mortal remains. Further operations by IAF Mi-17V5 and Cheetal helicopters are in progress. Aircraft are on standby at all major air bases in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh areas
