Amarnath Shrine: 15 Dead, Over 40 Missing After Cloudburst

Srinagar, July 09: 15 people were killed and more than 40 are reported missing after a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, said officials. The yatra has been suspended till further notice. The yatra has been suspended till further notice.

Authorities have temporarily suspended the Yatra from both Baltal and Pahalgam base camps.

Teams of NDRF, SDRF, BSF, CRPF, Army, police and ITBP resumed rescue operation with the first light on Saturday morning, officials said.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ganderbal district, Afroza Shah has told reporters that 15 people have died and over 40 injured in Friday’s flash flood triggered by the cloudburst. She said five people were rescued alive from the debris of the flash flood.

The operation to ascertain the exact number of casualties, injuries and missing persons is still going on.

Reports from the disaster site said 25 to 30 tents of the pilgrims and five ‘Langars’ (Community Kitchens) were washed away in the high-speed muddy slush triggered by the cloudburst that occurred around 5.30 p.m. Friday.

The Army has pressed helicopters into service to assist the civil administration in relief and rescue operations. Army said that the rescue operations by security forces continued throughout the night.

MeT department has forecast that another cloud is moving towards the Baltal-Holy cave route which is likely to cause light to moderate rainfall.

“Flash flood/shooting stone may occur at vulnerable places. Please remain alert,” the forecast said.

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