Amarnath cloudburst: What we know so far

Several were killed in a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas Friday evening, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens, officials said.

The cloudburst struck around 5:30 PM amid heavy rainfall, they said.

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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.

At least 10 people were killed and 40 are reported missing, NDTV reported, citing officials. The Amarnath Yatra  which resumed on Wednesday morning as another batch of 5,982 left from Jammu towards the Valley, has been halted temporarily.

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Jammu and Kashmir offcials, as per NDTV, confirmed that at least ten people have died. A rescue operation was launched as some langars were affected by the gushing waters, the officials said. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he has spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and inquired about the situation.

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“NDRF, CRPF, BSF and local administration are engaged in the rescue work. Saving people’s lives is our priority,” he said. Sinha said that he is closely monitoring the situation. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his anguish about the cloudburst. “Spoke to J&K LG Manoj Sinha and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected,” he tweeted. 

However, the public relations officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Vivek Kumar Pandey said that the situation is under control. 

“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.”