Guwahati: The number of death toll from the cloud burst near the revered cave sanctuary of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir increased to 15, said officials.
The cloudburst was detected at around 5:30 pm. There will be a break in the yatra until further notice.
J&K’s Lt Governor Manoj Sinha claimed to have informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of the situation. The Centre has promised full assistance. Army Helicopters have been called into action in order to transport the injured to a hospital.
“Rain is still falling, but the situation is under control. The Amarnath Yatra has been briefly put on hold due to the location being under water and the danger level. The yatra can begin tomorrow if the weather stays normal and temporary measures are arranged, ” said spokesperson of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police or ITBP.
Rescue efforts by the Indian Army are still ongoing in the lower Amarnath Cave site’s cloudburst-affected section.
Rescue efforts have already begun in the area and are being carried out by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other related authorities.
The sacred cave’s automatic weather station recorded 31 mm of rain falling there between 4:30 and 6:30. The base camp outside the shrine was struck by the pouring floods, which destroyed three communal kitchens where the pilgrims are fed as well as 25 tents. Temporary hospitals have been established in Sonamarg and other locations to help the injured.