NEW DELHI – At least 15 pilgrims were killed and dozens missing yesterday after a cloudburst caused flash floods near a Hindu cave shrine in Jammu and Kashmir.
The 43-day Amarnath pilgrimage, which began on June 30, has been temporarily halted following the tragedy, news agency PTI reported.
The flooding swept away many pilgrim tents and community kitchens.
“Our priority is to save the lives of people. Instructions have been issued to provide all necessary assistance to pilgrims. I am closely monitoring the situation,” Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said in a tweet.
Cloud burst occurred at lower holy cave (Amarnath) at around 1730 Hrs. Rescue teams rushed. pic.twitter.com/MZ3xOwQUuF
— Kashmir News Service (@KNSKashmir) July 8, 2022
The confirmed death toll was 15 and 40 people are feared missing, according to an NDTV report.
Indian security forces and disaster response agencies are searching for survivors.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police said its teams are searching for the missing people in the debris and mud near the Amarnath cave. – Bernama, July 9, 2022
