Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday visited the pilgrims injured in the landslide on the Vaishnodevi Shrine route.
The LG, who is chairman of the Shrine Board, met the pilgrims and enquired about their health. He asked the doctors to ensure the best possible treatment.
“My gratitude to emergency responders, SMVDSB employees & citizens whose exemplary interventions saved many lives”, the LG wrote on X.
Sinha also briefed PM Modi about the flood situation in Jammu.
“Briefed Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji & Hon’ble HM Shri Amit Shah Ji on the flood situation. Relief & rescue work is underway in various Districts & I’ve directed officials for maximum readiness & presence of staff at their posts to respond to emergency situations”, he wrote on X.
It was informed that 13 people are presently undergoing treatment at SMVD Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Katra and their condition is stable.
The LG said that a cloudburst occurred and devotees at Ardhkuwari were caught in it. It was a heart-wrenching natural calamity, in which we have lost precious lives. We are providing all possible assistance to bereaved families, he said.
The Lieutenant Governor also announced ex-gratia relief to the families of the deceased. He said the Shrine Board and the administration are extending all the necessary assistance to the affected families.
The Shrine Board’s policy provides for an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of any individual who dies in an unfortunate incident. An additional Rs 4 lakh will be provided from SDRF.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre has forecast that during next 3 hours the weather will be generally cloudy with intermittent spell of drizzle/light Rain over Ganderbal, Baramulla, Bandipora, middle & higher reaches of Annatnag, Kulgam & Pulwama, Parts of Ramban, Doda,Kishtwar, few parts of Reasi, Udhampur & Samba.
The Centre said Jammu received 380 mm rain in the past 24 hours, this was followed by 284 mm in Katra, the base town of Vaishnodevi pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, troops of the White Knight Corps rescued about 100 civilians, including children, who were stranded in the Kandoli temple at Nagrota.
They also saved people in the Makwal village of Jammu that was submerged in flood waters.