Latest news with #AmarnathYatris
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Hans India
Indian Army rescues pilgrims stranded on Amarnath Yatra route in Kashmir due to landslide, heavy rain
Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to humanitarian assistance, the Indian Army on Wednesday evening came to the immediate rescue of hundreds of Amarnath Yatris stranded due to a landslide triggered by relentless rainfall in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir. At around 7.15 p.m., a major landslide occurred at Z Morh, situated between Rayalpathri and Brarimarg, leading to the abrupt suspension of the Yatra movement. The sudden disruption left hundreds of pilgrims stranded in challenging terrain amidst continued rainfall. In a swift and coordinated response, the Indian Army detachment stationed at Brarimarg was mobilised within minutes. Around 500 Yatris were safely accommodated in Army tents and provided with tea and potable water to ensure their comfort and safety through the night. Simultaneously, nearly 3,000 additional pilgrims took shelter in nearby langars set up between Brarimarg and Z Morh, which extended critical support in the form of shelter and hot meals. One particularly urgent situation involved a seriously ill pilgrim stranded between two landslide-prone points at Rayalpathri. Braving slippery slopes and adverse weather. Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) of the Army launched a manual stretcher evacuation. The patient was successfully rescued and brought to Rayalpathri, from where an ambulance transported him for advanced medical treatment. Senior officers, including the Camp Director at Brarimarg and the Indian Army's Company Commander, were present on the ground. They have confirmed that the situation is now stable and under control. Army personnel continue to maintain high alert as light rain persists in the region. These rescue and relief operation underscores the Indian Army's unflinching resolve and readiness to protect civilians in high-altitude and disaster-prone zones. As the Amarnath Yatra progresses amid unpredictable weather, the Army stands firm, offering not just security but life-saving support and compassion. Once again, the Indian Army has proven itself not just as a military force but as a pillar of strength for the nation, walking in step with every pilgrim through every challenge.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Rains bring much needed relief from intense heat in Kashmir
Torrential rains drenched Kashmir valley on Monday bringing some momentary relief in the hot weather conditions prevailing in the Himalayan region for the past more than a month. People in Srinagar after rainfall lashed Srinagar on Monday. (Waseem Andrabi/HT) The rains started in the afternoon in parts of Pahalgam in South Kashmir, Srinagar in Central Kashmir and Handwara in North Kashmir. However, by late evening heavy rains lashed most parts of the valley, including northern Baramulla district and majority of the city. 'The rains have brought a welcome relief from the intense hot weather in Kashmir. At many places people came out to drench in the rains even though the intensity of the rains was so severe,' said Arif Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar. There were hailstorms and gusty winds in various parts of the city. 'Strong winds uprooted a tree between Batwara and Pandrethan, which crashed onto an e-rickshaw causing damage while the road continues to remain blocked,' said Faizan Arif, a weather spotter. Many low lying areas of Srinagar were inundated with rain water. 'On Nallamar road and Khankah Moula, the storm water is overflowing the roads and has entered into shops causing damage to the goods and merchandise,' said a resident of Old City. Less snow, precipitation: Why Kashmir is sizzling in 2025 Kashmir is experiencing multiple bouts of heatwave this summer with temperatures breaking records of the past 70 years, prompting the experts to delve into the reasons for such unusually hot weather. The heatwave has not only deteriorated the quality of life but also affected vegetable crops and fruit orchards besides drying up water bodies, including river Jhelum, due to extended dry weather conditions. The experts say that the heatwave is not just because of the immediate dry weather this summer but also because of less precipitation right from the beginning of winter. 'We had very little snowfall this winter with no major snow cover over the mountains. In fact the Amarnath Yatris this year are also surprised to find negligible snow on the tracks leading up to cave shrine at a height of 3,880 metres deep in the Himalayas,' said Farooq Ahmad Bhat, senior meteorologist at IMD's Srinagar centre. He said that a heavy snow cover would help immediate rains in summer after just a few days of hot weather. 'In normal days, the hot weather would cause evaporation leading to rains after a few days. But this year, the very little snowfall we had has already melted in March and there is nothing to melt over mountains to go into rivers for evaporation and cause rains. Hence, more the dry weather, there is more increase in temperatures,' he said. Kashmir valley witnessed heatwaves this summer right from May- first between May 18 to 27 and then from June 9 onwards - breaking decades old temperature records and severely affecting the life of the people not used to such high temperatures. Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar on Saturday recorded the hottest day in 72 years at 37.4°C , the third highest maximum temperature in history in the city. 'The second highest temperature in Srinagar has been 37.7°C which was recorded on 5 July 1953 while the all -time highest temperature of 38.3°C over Srinagar had been observed on July 10, 1946,' said MeT director Mukhtar Ahmad. In Pahalgam tourist resort, the all times highest temperature of 31.6°C was recorded on Saturday, up from previous highest of 31.5°C on July 21 last year. Bhat said that Kashmir valley this year was hotter than the Jammu division which used to sizzle in normal circumstances. 'The Jammu division has been receiving monsoon rains regularly, while the Kashmir division has been hotter due to absence of moisture currents which only reach Reasi, Katra and Pir Panjal (mountain) region,' he said. Not only this month so far, the Jammu and Kashmir summer capital Srinagar has also recorded the hottest June month since 1978, and second hottest since 1892, the MeT has said. The average maximum mean temperature for the month of June 2025 stood at 31°C just below 32.9°C which was recorded in June 1978. Director MeT Mukhtar Ahmad said that the shifting global weather patterns like increase in temperatures due to climate change are also contributing factors. 'Our main sources of precipitation are western disturbances rather than monsoon rains. This year western disturbances didn't bring much snowfall while monsoon rains, already very less in Kashmir, are also shying away,' he said. Western disturbances are moisture laden winds from the Mediterranean which account for three-forth of the Valley's precipitation. He said that another factor was hot nights which would aggravate the day temperatures. 'There has been this trend of cloud cover during nights which would keep nights hot and humid and then the day temperatures would break further records,' he said. He, however, hopes for some relief as monsoon brought some rains on Monday. 'Currently there are some showers in Pahalgam and Kokernag in south Kashmir, Srinagar's Nishat areas and northern Handwara area but these are localised. Monsoons are not like western disturbances which cover the whole region,' he said.
Hans India
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Locals receive first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims with warmth in Kashmir
Srinagar: A large number of locals drawn from different sections of the society on Wednesday lined up at the Navyug Tunnel to receive the first batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims as they entered Kashmir. Members of the civil society, traders and local residents from the South Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Kulgam lined up holding garlands and placards to welcome the Yatris. The spontaneous welcome of the first batch of Amarnath Yatris on their entry into the Valley made a powerful statement about the rejection of terrorism and an assertion of communal harmony and the historic support of the Yatra by the people of Kashmir. In the morning, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the first batch of Yatris for this year's Amarnath Yatra from Jammu for the Valley as the 36-day long pilgrimage begins on Thursday. Amid slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', 'Bum Bum Bhole', 'Har Har Mahadev' and 'Barfani Baba Ne Bulaya Hai', enthusiastic Yatris from different parts of the country left in two escorted convoys from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas on Canal Road in Jammu for the two Yatra base camps of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district. The Lt Governor was accompanied by senior civil and police officers when he flagged off the first batch of this year's Yatra for the Valley. Manoj Sinha is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the affairs of the Yatra. Official sources told IANS, 'A total of 5,892 Yatris left in two escorted convoys for the Shri Amarnath ji Yatra from here today. Of these, 3403 Yatris are going to Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp while 2,489 are going to Baltal base camp'. Unprecedented security is being provided to this year's Amarnath Yatra, as this is taking place after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. An additional 180 companies of CAPFs have been deployed to augment the existing security set-up comprising the Army, security forces and the J&K Police. The Yatra will officially start on Thursday and conclude after 36 days on August 9, coinciding with the Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan festivals. Devotees approach the holy cave shrine situated 3888 metres above sea level either from the traditional Pahalgam route or the shorter Baltal route. Those using the Pahalgam route trek from Pahalgam to Chandanwati, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach the holy cave shrine, taking four days to cover the 46 km long trek. And the pilgrims using the Baltal route return to the base camp the same day after having 'darshan' inside the cave shrine, covering a 14 km long trek. Due to security reasons, no helicopter services are available to the Yatris this year. The cave shrine houses an ice stalagmite structure that wanes and waxes with the phases of the moon. Devotees believe that the ice stalagmite structure symbolises the mythical powers of Lord Shiva.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"We want to welcome Amarnath Yatris...Kashmiris have extended for hundreds of years": PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti calls to revive tourism in J-K
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 10 (ANI): PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday urged the government to help owners, shopkeepers, taxi owners, and horse owners struggling to repay bank loans after the Pahalgam terror attack has led to a decline in the number of tourists to the state. Local businesses, including hotel owners, shopkeepers, taxi owners, and horse owners, struggle to repay bank loans due to the lack of tourists. 'The recent standstill in tourism has severely impacted local businesses in Pahalgam, with hotel owners, shopkeepers, taxi owners, and horse owners struggling to repay bank loans. To address this, local leaders are urging the government and Shrine Board to support the Amarnath Yatra, which could help revive tourism in the area,' said People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti. She urged the government to allow local tourists to visit closed parks like Chandanwadi, Ado, Betaab Valley to generate income for local businesses. 'I urge the government to open closed parks like Chandanwadi, Betaab Valley to enable local tourists to visit and generate income for local businesses and provide full support to Amarnath Yatris and ensure their safety during the journey', said the PDP Chief. She highlighted the importance of welcoming Amarnath Yatris with warmth and hospitality, highlighting the region's tradition of extending goodwill to visitors. She stressed the role of local stakeholders in securing the Amarnath Yatra and promoting a sense of responsibility and cooperation. 'Allow horse owners to bring as many horses as possible for the Amarnath Yatra. We want to welcome Amarnath Yatris with the same warmth and hospitality that Kashmiris have extended for hundreds of years. Insha Allah, they will be given full support and ensured a safe journey,' the PDP Chief added to the statement. Shri Amarnathji Yatra is scheduled from July 3 to August 9. The 38-day pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir has been secured with a massive deployment of 581 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies, jammers, and drones. Earlier on June 8, the Indian Army, with support from an NGO, M3M Foundation, organised the Gujjar-Bakerwal Mela at Aishmuqam in South Kashmir's Anantnag district, aimed at supporting the nomadic community ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag, AF Hamid, inspected the Nunwan and Chandanwari base camps on Thursday to review the progress of ongoing developmental works and preparations for the upcoming Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra 2025. According to an official press release, the DC reviewed critical infrastructure projects executed by various departments, including Jal Shakti, Public Health Engineering (PHE), Roads and Buildings (R&B), and other allied agencies. He also inspected ongoing track clearance operations along the yatra route. Special focus was placed on the readiness of essential facilities such as drinking water, sanitation, power supply, accommodation, and health care services. The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, said the tourism sector has been badly affected and the administration is now focusing on ensuring a safe and incident-free Amarnath Yatra. (ANI)
United News of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Collective responsibility for ensuring peaceful Amarnath Yatra: Mehbooba
Srinagar, June 10 (UNI) Former Chief Minister and PDP President, Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said that it was the collective responsibility of every Kashmiri in ensuring a peaceful and secure Amarnath Yatra beginning from July 3. Mehbooba said this during her visit to the tourist resort of Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pahalgam was struck by a brutal terrorist attack on April 22, leaving 25 tourists and a local dead. During the Amarnath Yatra, Pahalgam serves as the traditional base camp for the yatris '…Amarnath Yatra is about to start. That's why I called all our workers on the route of Amarnath Yatra. I told them that the people of Pahalgam have to take care of Amarnath Yatra so that the Yatra goes well,' Mehbooba told a gathering at the tourist resort. She highlighted the historical role of Pahalgam's residents in fostering communal harmony. 'The people of Pahalgam have kept Hindu-Muslim unity alive in the country. For centuries, the people of Kashmir and Pahalgam have welcomed Amarnath Yatris with open hearts, and this legacy will continue with the same spirit and sincerity,' she said. Mehbooba underscored that the security of Amarnath Yatris is a shared responsibility, noting, no matter how many security forces are deployed, the actual responsibility for a peaceful Amarnath Yatra lies with every inhabitant of Pahalgam. She said once the Amarnath Yatra will be peaceful, people will regain their confidence and tourism will start again. The PDP chief also urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Lieutenant Governor to take swift action to reopen popular tourist destinations such as Chandanwari, Aru Valley, Betab Valley, and other parks in Pahalgam. She questioned the delay in their reopening, stating, 'I want to ask Omar sahab, no one stops you from giving jobs to retired people or transferring officers as you wish. If you can exercise your authority freely in these matters, why can't you ensure these parks are open for the public?' 'We, in the opposition, can only raise our voice. But if you, despite being in government, only make statements, what's the difference between you and us?' she asked UNI MJR GNK
