Amarnath cloudburst
Amarnath cloudburst: Each pilgrim had radio track device yet many still missing, officials say
New Delhi: The pilgrims of Amarnath Yatra had a radio frequency identification device (RFID)-based tracking system on them yet several of them are still missing as authorities are unable to locate them three days after the flash floods near the holy cave shrine in south Kashmir.
Officials on the ground explained that RFIDs are not useful in such tragedies.
"There are very few readers installed and their signals don't get transmitted," a senior police officer involved in rescue operations told the media.
According to the official, data collected so far reveals that about 26,000 people were on the way to the holy cave.
The headcount is still on and the data is being collected. Rescue operations are continuing as well.
"RFID data is not automated. We ask yatris to hang RFID around their neck but most of them keep in their bags or pockets and due to this data transmission is obstructed," he added.
Security officials involved in rescue operations also said that if one gets drowned or gets caught in slush - like was the case after flash floods - the RFID will stop transmitting signal.
"We were making tally manually and accounting each person by contacting him or her through phones," said another officer.
As of now sixteen people were declared dead, 40 people are reported missing and around 50 were injured after a cloudburst near the cave shrine Friday, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Amarnath Yatra resumed Monday from Jammu's Bhagwati Nagar based Yatri Niwas base camp after it was suspended due to cloudburst tragedy.
An official said that for Baltal route, a total 1016 yatries left the base camp including 767 males, 240 females and nine children in 25 buses and 10 light motor vehicles.
Similarly for Pahalgam Route, total 3010 pilgrims comprising 2425 males, 401 females, four Children, 174 Sadhus and six Sadhvies headed from the base camp in 75 vehicles including 58 buses.
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