Srinagar, Jun 26 (KNO): Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra beginning on July 3, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has strengthened its weather surveillance and disaster response mechanism by deploying Doppler Weather Radars, specialised rescue teams and an integrated early warning system to enhance pilgrim safety.
The enhanced preparedness follows the 2022 flash floods near the Amarnath cave shrine, which exposed the need for stronger weather monitoring and quicker emergency response during the pilgrimage.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) have been made operational at Srinagar, Banihal Top, Jammu and Leh to provide continuous, real-time monitoring of weather conditions along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes as well as the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
The radar network is capable of detecting highly localised weather events such as cloudbursts, heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms and strong winds, enabling authorities to issue timely alerts and regulate pilgrim movement whenever required.
Officials said weather alerts generated by the India Meteorological Department are relayed through an integrated communication system to camp commanders, disaster management agencies and the Integrated Command and Control Centre in Srinagar. Real-time weather information is also being displayed at major base camps, including Baltal and Nunwan, to keep pilgrims informed.
The administration has also deployed 45 specialised Mountain Rescue Teams at 25 strategic locations along the yatra routes, including the Holy Cave area and other landslide-prone stretches.
The teams have been equipped with upgraded rescue equipment and imparted advanced training to respond to emergencies such as flash floods, landslides and accidents.
"The Meteorological Department keeps us continuously updated with real-time weather inputs. Based on those forecasts, we plan, prepare and implement our response measures accordingly," an official said.
The official said vulnerable locations along the pilgrimage route have been identified and mapped, with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces strategically deployed to ensure immediate rescue and assistance in case of any emergency.
Officials said disaster response personnel will remain deployed throughout the pilgrimage, complementing the multi-layered security arrangements already put in place for the annual yatra—(KNO)