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Asia India

Update

India: Amarnath Yatra temporarily suspended after 15 killed, 40 injured in cloudburst

At least five community kitchens and 30 tents were washed away in flash floods



Hindu devotees are seen stranded after a cloudburst near the base camp of the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south of Kashmir Himalayas, in India.
Image Credit: AP

Srinagar: Rescue operation was resumed at the Amarnath cave shrine on Saturday where 15 people were killed and over 40 injured in a cloudburst Friday evening.

Authorities have temporarily suspended the Yatra from both Baltal and Pahalgam base camps.

Teams of NDRF, SDRF, BSF, CRPF, Army, police and ITBP resumed rescue operation with the first light on Saturday morning, officials said.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ganderbal district, Afroza Shah has told reporters that 15 people have died and over 40 injured in Friday's flash flood triggered by the cloudburst. She said five people were rescued alive from the debris of the flash flood.

Rescue operation underway after a cloud burst occurred in the lower reaches of Amarnath cave, in Pahalgam on Friday.
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Operation to ascertain the exact number of casualties, injuries and missing persons is still going on.

Reports from the disaster site said 25 to 30 tents of the pilgrims and five 'Langars' (Community Kitchens) were washed away in the high speed muddy slush triggered by the cloudburst that occurred around 5.30 p.m. Friday.

Army has pressed helicopters into service to assist the civil administration in relief and rescue operation.

MeT department has forecast that another cloud is moving towards the Baltal-Holy cave route which is likely to cause light to moderate rainfall.

"Flash flood/shooting stone may occur at vulnerable places. Please remain alert," the forecast said.

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