Amarnath cloudburst: 16 dead so far; Army continues rescue operations| Top pts

According to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials, the cloud burst occurred at the lower holy cave (Amarnath) at around 5.30 pm and the rescue teams rushed to the spot. Eight people have died so far and several people have been injured.

A cloudburst occurred near the Amarnath cave in Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) on Friday. Sixteen people have died so far and several people have been injured. Rescue operations are currently underway and there is fear of more casualties in the mishap.

Administration trying to give safe passage to pilgrims after flash floods triggered by cloudburst near Amarnath Cave (ANI Photo)

The cloudburst took place following heavy rain in the upper reaches of the cave. The gushing waters hit the base camp outside the shrine, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens where the pilgrims are served food.

Here are the latest updates:

> The toll in the cloudburst has now climbed to 16.

> An ITBP official told ANI that the Amarnath Yatra has been halted temporarily due to the area being inundated and will resume if the weather remains normal and makeshift arrangements are made. Rain is continuing, for now, the official added.

> Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant General (L-G) Manoj Sinha over the mishap, adding all possible assistance is being provided to the affected.

> Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to L-G Singa and tweeted that teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the state Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Border Security Force (BSF) and the local administration were carrying out the rescue operations.

> Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh said that he is in constant touch with the J-K administration. “The SDRF and NDRF teams have promptly swung into action to provide all possible relief and assistance,” Dr Singh tweeted.

> According to the Northern Army Command, 10 teams of the army are carrying out rescue operations.