At least fifteen people were killed in a cloudburst today near the cave shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baltal. Rescue operations are underway.
Around 40 people are missing at the site of cloudburst.
A cloudburst is an extreme amount of rain in a short period of time, sometimes accompanied by hail and thunder, which is capable of creating flood conditions.
“At least 15 people are feared dead. The bodies are being retrieved and the missing being located,” a senior official said.
Scores of injured were shifted to temporary medical camps set up in Baltal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he was “anguished” and offered “condolences to the bereaved families.”
The Indian Army had launched six rescue teams including helicopters to help Amarnath Yatra pilgrims affected by the cloudburst.
“Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected,” he added.
“I was very distressed to learn of the tragic death of a number of pilgrims on account of a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in J&K. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” said Congress cheif Sonia Gandhi.
