Just a few days after a cloudburst in Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir, another such incident in Baltal has thrown life out of gear. On Friday, during late evening, a cloudburst triggered flash floods washing away many tents near the Amarnath base camp.
As per media reports, all the devotees heading towards the Amarnath Yatra are safe. More than 750 pilgrims have been shifted to an army camp already. However, two children, a boy and a girl have been killed due to the incessant rains. Also, 11 people have been reported missing and dozen being injured.
To trace the ones missing, rescue operations have already been launched. The critically injured have already been evacuated by helicopters and shifted to a hospital in Srinagar. Due to the flash floods, the Leh-Srinagar highway has also been closed leaving several stranded on the highway itself.
These cloudbursts are sudden and difficult to predict. The passage of Western Disturbance is common in the hilly states of North India. Also, during Monsoon enough moisture is available to trigger a weather activity. The Monsoon trough also remains in close proximity with the hills. Cloudbursts are capable of dumping inches of rain in just a short duration resulting in flash floods.
Heavy rain is not expected in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the region will receive isolated rain for the next few days.
Image Credit: economictimes.com
