Picture : Twitter / ANI
At least 13 persons were killed in a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas on Friday evening, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens, officials said. The cloudburst struck around 5.30 pm amid heavy rainfall, they said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his anguish
Anguished by the cloud burst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to @manojsinha_ Ji and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
As reported by PTI, 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.
#WATCH | J&K: Massive amount of water flowing turbulently after a cloud burst occurred in the lower reaches of Amarnath cave. Rescue operation is underway at the site pic.twitter.com/w97pPU0c6k
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2022
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.
Former J&K Chief Minister and National Conference Vice- president Omar Abdullah too tweeted,
Deeply saddened by the reports of loss of precious lives coming in from the site of the cloud burst near the Amarnath Cave. My condolences to the loved ones of the deceased & prayers for those injured in the aftermath of the flash floods. https://t.co/QLLRJXAPTB
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 8, 2022
PDP president and former J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti too tweeted her anguish
Saddened & shocked to know about the tragic cloudburst accident near the Amarnath cave. Deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) July 8, 2022
Rescue op by NDRF, SDRF, BSF, Army, JKP & Shrine board administration in progress. Spoke to PM & HM & briefed them. They’ve assured all help. Instructions issued to provide all necessary assistance to pilgrims. I’m closely monitoring situation J&K LG Manoj Sinha was quoted as saying by ANI
#WATCH | J&K: Visuals from lower reaches of Amarnath cave where a cloud burst was reported at around 5.30 pm. Rescue operation underway by NDRF, SDRF & other associated agencies. Further details awaited: Joint Police Control Room, Pahalgam
(Source: ITBP) pic.twitter.com/AEBgkWgsNp
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2022
Cloudburst reported at around 5:30pm. High momentum water flow affected many tents. Our crew is engaged in rescue work. 2 out of our 3 teams engaged. J&K Police, Indian Army & ITBP also engaged. Initial momentum decreasing, we’ll be prepared for every situation, NDRF DG A Karwal told ANI
