15 dead in Amarnath cloudburst. Rescue operation continues
At least 15 pilgrims were killed and more than 40 are reported missing after a cloudburst hit near Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday evening, officials said
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha briefed the Prime Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah about the incident and rescue operations. The centre is extending all the assistance, an official spokesman said.
Lieutenant Governor is monitoring the situation very closely, he added
Officials said the cloud burst hit at a place very near to the Amarnath Cave and it hit the tented accommodation of the pilgrims and community kitchen.
Several tents have been washed away with the flash floods triggered by the cloudburst in which at least 15 yatris have died so far, they said and added many are still missing and search operations are going on. They said the death toll is likely to rise as many people are still missing.
The search for the other missing pilgrims is continuing.
"Rescue operation still going on”, Inspector General of police said .
The pilgrims who suffered injuries in the incident were airlifted and taken to different hospitals for treatment.
Rescue teams from the police, security forces and NDRF have launched a massive rescue operation. Army helicopters have also been pressed into service. Army sniffer dogs were also put into service to locate the missing pilgrims.
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