Thirteen Indian pilgrims were killed and more than 40 feared missing on Friday after a cloudburst triggered a flash flood at the Himalayan Amarnath shrine, a Hindu cave in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Thousands of pilgrims trek every day to the cave revered by Hindus for containing a naturally formed ice stalagmite that believers say is a representation of Lord Shiva in the mountains of Kashmir.
Authorities said the cloudburst struck at 5:30pm near the shrine, which is 3,880 metres above sea level, damaging buildings in the area.
“At least 13 bodies have been recovered and 40 are feared missing,” Kashmir region’s police chief Dilbag Singh told local media.
Emergency workers were immediately sent to rescue survivors and evacuate those trapped.
“Our crew is engaged in rescue work … we'll be prepared for every situation … our effort will be to get everyone out safely,” said Atul Karwal, director general of National Disaster Response Force.
The pilgrimage, which started on June 30 and will continue until mid-August, was being held after a break of three years since its cancellation by the government over security lockdown in Kashmir in 2019 and subsequent restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Thousands of pilgrims were gathered near the cave when the cloudburst struck in the nearby mountain range, prompting authorities to suspend the pilgrimage for the day.
The stalagmite is formed by trickles of water coming from a cleft in the roof of the cave and as water drips, it takes on various formations as it freezes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “anguish” over the incident and ensured assistance for rescue and relief operations.
Several parts of the South Asian nation have been witnessing unprecedented levels of monsoon rains after prolonged summer heat. While rains brought relief from the intense heatwaves, poor infrastructure and lack of preparedness have led to flooding and landslides in many areas.
At least one person was killed and more than 250 evacuated on Friday from various parts of western Maharashtra state that has been battered by torrential monsoon rains for more than a week.
In state capital Mumbai, also India’s financial capital, the India Meteorological Department had issued a red warning — a colour-coded indication of heavy to extremely heavy rains amounting to more than 20cm — in the city for Friday.
Flood warnings were issued in neighbouring Karnataka state due to incessant rain and overflowing of the Krishna river and its tributaries.
A total of 12 people have died in various rain-related incidents in the state since June 1, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said.
He instructed officials to take precautionary measures as warnings were issued of continuing heavy rain in the state for the next four days.
Locals rescued as many as 30 pupils after a school bus in which they were travelling became partially submerged under a flooded railway underbridge in southern Telangana’s Mahbubnagar district on Friday.
A female migrant labourer was killed in a landslide near a tunnel as she was sleeping in a roadside tent in the state’s Shimla district and seven people were feared dead in flash floods triggered by heavy rains in northern Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district on Wednesday.
Huroob Ezterari
Director: Ahmed Moussa
Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed
Three stars
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
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In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 2 Manchester United 1
Huddersfield: Mooy (28'), Depoitre (33')
Manchester United: Rashford (78')
Man of the Match: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
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