A cloudburst in the mountains above the Amarnath cave shrine. It killed at least 13 pilgrims late Friday afternoon. Consequently injured many and around 40 were reported missing as gushing water washed away around three community kitchens and 25 tents at the base camp in Baltal, 92km from Srinagar. Tragedy struck the annual pilgrimage that resumed this summer after two years of suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic.
J&K has been recording heavy rain lately in the wet season’s wake. Flash floods and landslides killed at least three people in the Jammu region Friday.
Rescue teams of NDRF, SDRF, J&K police and military units rushed to the base camp close to the shrine and started digging through mounds of debris after the rain stopped, looking for survivors and bodies. Helicopters were aiding the rescue effort and airlifting the injured to hospitals.