Amarnath yatra: First responders helped keep death toll low

After the cloudburst caused flash floods near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath, the efforts of first responders ensured the number of deaths remained low.

A senior IAF official Air Commodore Pankaj Mittal said the initial efforts people put in on the first day kept the fatality rate and casualties "limited". He added that the rescue and relief operations were "a bit on a smaller scale".

The heavy rain triggered flash floods on July 8. It left 16 people dead and over 30 missing. The tents and community kitchens near the site were washed away instantly.

Mittal told the media the major part of the rescue and relief operations was over and the area should be good enough to be opened for normal activities in the next two days. He added that the team has already cleared the opening of the yatra again. "I think in a day or two, we will be able to clear the area for anything else".

The difficult weather complicated the rescue and relief operations for the IAF. The official said the valley (leading to the cave shrine) being narrow and clouding created by the challenging weather made it difficult for choppers to enter the area. He added that even on July 10th, the visibility was poor which made rescue operations challenging. The IAF could not operate for more than half the day till 2 pm due to weather.

The IAF team did not launch operations on the day of the incident due to the weather. "We thought it was best to launch operations the next day in a coordinated manner. On 8th, we focused on planning and coordination of assets".

The Air Force carried out 123 evacuations. 29 tonnes of material were flown in from the base to the lower cave and Panjtarni areas. The main operation started on the morning of July 9. The IAF worked with the civil administration, the camp commanders, the army commanders, BSF as well as the J&K police.

The Air Commodore said the rescue and relief efforts would not have been possible without the cooperation of various agencies.