13 dead, five rescued, 30 missing as cloudburst hits near Amarnath cave area

SRINAGAR: At least 13 people were killed when a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas triggered flash floods Friday evening that damaged 25 tents and three community kitchens, police and NDRF officials said.

An official on the ground said about 30-35 people are missing while five have been rescued.

The cloudburst hit the cave area at around 5.30 pm after heavy rains, they said.

#WATCH | J&K: Rescue operation underway at lower reaches of Amarnath cave where a cloud burst was reported. Two people dead so far pic.twitter.com/0pwry9gkJt

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2022

The gushing waters hit the base camp outside the shrine, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens where the pilgrims are served food, they said.

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

"We have three teams comprising about 75 rescuers in action right now," Karwal said.

Meanwhile, an official of the union territory administration said that the Amarnath yatra, which began on June 30, has been temporarily suspended in view of the tragedy, adding a decision on its resumption will be taken after rescue operations end.

Police and other civil administration have launched a rescue operation as some langars were affected by the gushing waters, the officials said.

According to the automatic weather station at the holy cave, the area received 31 mm rainfall from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. A massive amount of water flowing turbulently after a cloud burst occurred in the lower reaches of Amarnath cave, claimed reports.

#WATCH | Rescue operations are being carried out in cloudburst affected area at the lower Amarnath Cave site

A total of 10 Army rescue teams with Army Dogs continue rescue operations.

(Source: Northern Command, Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/NZlcu3BmdO

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2022

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh confirms that he is "in constant touch with the UT administration. The SDRF and NDRF teams have promptly swung into action to provide all possible relief and assistance."

Meanwhile, Union Home minister Amit Shah said, "I have spoken with J&K LG Manoj Sinha pertaining to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst at Amarnath Cave. NDRF, SDRF, BSF & local admin are doing the rescue work. Our priority is to save the lives of people."

While, Vivek Kumar Pandey, PRO, ITBP said, "Situation is under control, rains are still going on. Looking at the hazard level, the Amarnath Yatra has been halted temporarily due to the area being inundated. If the weather remains normal and makeshift arrangements are made, then the yatra can be resumed tomorrow."

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi extends condolences to bereaved families over the Amarnath cave cloudburst incident, saying, "I was very distressed to learn about the tragic death of the number of pilgrims on account of cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in J&K."

The rescue teams have given emergency helpline numbers that are active in view of the cloudburst that happened. The 43-day Amarnath yatra began after a gap of three years.

NDRF: 011-23438252, 011-23438253
Kashmir Divisional Helpline: 0194-2496240
Shrine Board Helpline: 0194-2313149

(With inputs from agencies)