12 killed, 25 injured as cloudburst triggers flash floods at Amarnath camp

12 killed, 25 injured as cloudburst triggers flash floods at Amarnath camp

Officials said 12 people were killed and 25 injured in rain-triggered floods that hit a camp near the Amarnath cave shrine in J&K's Ganderbal region.

The flood-hit around 6pm and the flash flood washed away part of the camp, with officials estimating 25 tents were hit.

Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) K Pandurang Pole told The Indian Express: “At least 12 people have died in the camp and 25 others are undergoing treatment for injuries. Two routes Anantnag and Ganderbal have been opened. As usual, the Yatra has been stopped for the whole night.

The pole said communication and power supply are working in the camps. “Around 3,000 people are staying in the camp. The incident took place around 6 pm when most of the pilgrims were on a trek or going for dinner,” he said.

IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar said rescue operations were being carried out by J&K Police, NTRF, and security forces. He said the injured were being "airlifted for treatment" and the situation was "under control". The identities of the dead are yet to be ascertained.

Expressing grief over the loss of life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said "all assistance is being provided" to the victims. Modi said J&K spoke to L-G Manoj Sinha and reviewed the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway, he tweeted.

Sinha said rescue teams have been rushed to the spot and instructions have been given to provide "all vital assistance to the passengers". He said that Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have assured all assistance.

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

 "Directions have been issued to extend all necessary assistance to the investigators. I am monitoring the situation closely," Sinha said. "Saving lives is essential," Shah said on Twitter.

Former J&K Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti expressed concern over the safety of the pilgrims. Abdullah tweeted, "Deeply saddened by the news of loss of precious lives," while Mufti posted, "Saddened and shocked."

बाबा अमरनाथ जी की गुफा के पास बादल फटने से आयी फ्लैश फ्लड के संबंध में मैंने LG श्री @manojsinha_ जी से बात कर स्थिति की जानकारी ली है। NDRF, CRPF, BSF और स्थानीय प्रशासन बचाव कार्य में लगे हैं। लोगों की जान बचाना हमारी प्राथमिकता है। सभी श्रद्धालुओं की कुशलता की कामना करता हूँ।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 8, 2022

The Amarnath Temple Board has set up helplines for pilgrims and families. It was announced that the Yatra would begin on June 30 and continue for 43 days. It was organized after a gap of two years following the abrogation of special status to J&K in August 2019.