Cloudburst near Amarnath cave, died 13 & over 40 missing

New Delhi : A flash flood triggered by a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir swept away scores of people, killing at least 13 and swamping tents and community kitchens with mud and rocks hurtling down a hillside, police and NDRF officials said. The officials added that flash floods damaged 25 tents and three community kitchens. Upto 40 people are feared missing and five people have been rescued so far. 

At about 5:30 am the incident happened at Baltal, a base camp for the Amarnath pilgrimage, in the Ganderbal district of south Kashmir. Officials told the cloudburst struck around 5:30 pm on Friday amid heavy rainfall. 

Several people have been wounded, who have been airlifted to Srinagar for treatment, said police. 

NDRF Director General Atul Karwal told PTI that one NDRF team was based in the affected area even as two more teams from nearby locations of Barari Marg and Panchtarni have reached there.

He said, “We have three teams comprising about 75 rescuers in action right now.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives in the cloud burst near Shree Amarnath cave.

The Prime Minister tweeted :Amar

“Anguished by the cloud burst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to @manojsinha_ Ji and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected.”

Anguished by the cloud burst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to @manojsinha_ Ji and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022