500 yatris, personnel escape storm in Amarnath

Srinagar, Aug 3 (UNI) More than 500 security personnel, 'yatris' and 'langer wallas' had a narrow escape when their tents damaged in shooting stones, triggered by heavy rains near the Amarnath cave shrine.

All the pilgrims were safe and there was no report of any loss of life or injury to anyone, spokesman of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Amir Ali told UNI, here last night.

More than 50 tents blew up in the strong windstorm he said, adding that all the yatris were safe and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had been directed to proceed towards the cave shrine and help the administration in setting up the tents again.

The NDRF would assist the administration to conduct the pilgrimage smoothly.

Meanwhile, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) spokesman said heavy rains triggered the shooting of stones in the cave shrine area.

He said Border Security Force (BSF) camp in the danger zone was immediately shifted to safer place.

More than 550 'langer wallas', cooks and pilgrims were also shifted to the CRPF camp, he added.

Tents, cooked food and other eatables were lost after the tents were washed away, they said.

UNI BAS SW SK RN0920