12 killed, 25 injured in Amarnath camp as cloudburst triggers flash flood

The cloudburst occurred around 6 pm, and the flash flood washed away a part of the camp with officials estimating that at least 25 tents were hit.

Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) K Pandurang Pole told The Indian Express: “At least 12 persons have lost lives at the camp, and 25 are injured and receiving treatment. The routes from both Anantnag and Ganderbal are open. The yatra has been stopped overnight as per routine.”

Pole said communication and electricity supplies at the camps are functional. “The camp accommodates approximately 3,000 people. The incident took place around 6 pm when the majority of pilgrims were either on the trek or proceeding for dinner,” he said.

IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said rescue operations were being conducted by J&K Police, NDRF and security forces. He said those injured are “being airlifted for treatment” and that the situation is “under control”. The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained.

Rescue operation after a cloudburst that hit near the base camp of the holy cave shrine of Amarnath. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the loss of lives and said “all possible assistance is being provided” to the affected. Modi said he spoke to J&K L-G Manoj Sinha “and took stock of the situation”. “Rescue and relief operations are underway,” he posted on Twitter.

Sinha said rescue teams have been rushed to the spot and instructions have been issued to provide “all necessary assistance to the pilgrims”. He said Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have “assured all the help”.

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

“Instructions have been issued to provide all necessary assistance to pilgrims. I am closely monitoring the situation,” Sinha said. Taking to Twitter, Shah said the “priority is to save lives”.

बाबा अमरनाथ जी की गुफा के पास बादल फटने से आयी फ्लैश फ्लड के संबंध में मैंने LG श्री @manojsinha_ जी से बात कर स्थिति की जानकारी ली है। NDRF, CRPF, BSF और स्थानीय प्रशासन बचाव कार्य में लगे हैं। लोगों की जान बचाना हमारी प्राथमिकता है। सभी श्रद्धालुओं की कुशलता की कामना करता हूँ।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 8, 2022

Former J&K chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern over the safety of pilgrims. Abdullah tweeted that he was “deeply saddened by the reports of loss of precious lives” while Mufti posted that she was “saddened & shocked”.

Rescue operation underway following a cloudburst that hit near the base camp of the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas on Friday, July 8, 2022. (PTI Photo)

Water flows through a campsite following a cloudburst that hit near the base camp of the holy cave shrine of Amarnath. (PTI)

The Amarnath shrine board has set up helplines for pilgrims and families. The yatra began on June 30 and was slated to continue for 43 days. It was organised after a gap of two years following the revocation of J&K’s special status in August 2019 and the pandemic.