A cloudburst hit near the base camp of the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas on Friday, officials said.

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

Also read: Explained: What are cloudbursts and why do they occur

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

The Amarnath Yatra, which resumed on Wednesday morning  as another batch of 5,982 left from Jammu towards the Valley, has been halted temporarily. 

Also read: Supreme Court grants interim bail for fact checker Mohammed Zubair

“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,” the public relations officer of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Vivek Kumar Pandey said. 

Also read: Divide in Shiv Sena likely to affect Presidential Polls, likely to favour Droupadi Murmu

“We rescued people during the daylight while necessary food and lighting arrangements are being made at the site. If needed, rescue operations will be continued at the night as well,” he further added. 

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

Also read: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann gets married to Dr Gurpreet Kaur, see pics

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

“One NDRF team is always deployed near the holy cave, it immediately engaged in the rescue work. One more team has been deployed & another is on its way. 10 casualties reported so far; 3 rescued alive,” NDRF DG Atul Karwal said.