By Online Desk
SRINAGAR: At least ten persons 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 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.
Five persons — three women and two men — were killed in the incident even as police, Army and ITBP personnel launched a rescue operation, the officials said.
Police and other civil administration have launched a rescue operation as some langars were affected by the gushing waters, the officials said.
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 siteA 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.
NDRF: 011-23438252, 011-23438253Kashmir Divisional Helpline: 0194-2496240Shrine Board Helpline: 0194-2313149
(With inputs from agencies)
