Amarnath flash flood: Toll mounts to 16, over 40 still missing; 15,000 people moved to safety -- Latest updates

The death toll in the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir has risen to 16 while 65 have been injured in the incident. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are underway to find over 40 missing people while over 15,000 have been moved to safety.  

"16 confirmed deaths, about 40 still seem to be missing. No landslide, but rain continues, though no problem in rescue work. Four NDRF teams with over 100 rescuers in rescue work. Besides, Indian Army, SDRF, CRPF and others continue to rescue," said NDRF DG Atul Karwal. 

The authorities said that the Amarnath Yatra, which began on June 30, has been suspended following the tragedy and a decision on its resumption will be taken after rescue operations get over.  

Here are the top developments on the big news: 

The air evacuation rescue process is currently underway and six pilgrims have been evacuated since morning. Mountain rescue teams & lookout patrols are in the process of searching for the missing. 

#WATCH | 2 Through Wall Radars & 2 search & rescue dogs moved to the holy cave for rescue operation via helicopters from Sharifabad #AmarnathYatra pic.twitter.com/sOPlbudWCd

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2022

The India Meteorological Department on Friday said that the deaths and destruction near the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir was due to a highly localised rain event, and not cloudburst.

Four teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising about 100 rescuers, are currently based in the affected area and trying to locate the missing people. 

#WATCH | Indian Army troops helping civilians injured in #AmarnathCaveCloudBurst

(Source: Indian Army officials) pic.twitter.com/h7h2eC9H8O

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2022

The cloudburst that occurred around 5.30 pm dumped copious rain and thick streams of sludge rolled down the mountain slopes into the valley. The flash flood swept away scores of people and swamped tents and community kitchens with mud and rocks hurtling down a hillside. 

The gushing waters hit the base camp outside the shrine, damaging 25 tents and three community kitchens where the pilgrims are served food, according to officials.

Temporary hospitals have been set up in Sonamarg and other places for providing assistance to the injured. An integrated command centre has been put in place under the charge of Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir) besides establishing helpline numbers in Anantnag in south Kashmir, Srinagar and Delhi to help the families of those who might have been affected.

Videos showed water running through the tents and people scampering to safety carrying gas stoves and blankets. A group of rescuers was seen digging the earth with bare hands as they gingerly looked for survivors under the rock-and-mud debris.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the incident. "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," he said in a tweet.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has set up four helpline numbers where people can get information about the incident.

NDRF: 011-23438252, 011-23438253

Kashmir Divisional Helpline: 0194-2496240

Shrine Board Helpline: 0194-2313149

Joint Police Control Room Pahalgam

9596779039

9797796217

01936243233

01936243018

Police control room Anantnag

9596777669

9419051940

01932225870

01932222870

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board

NDRF: 011-23438252, 011-23438253

Kashmir Divisional Helpline: 0194-2496240

Shrine Board Helpline: 0194-2313149

The 43-day Amarnath yatra began after a gap of three years on June 30. In 2019, the yatra was cancelled midway ahead of the Centre abrogating Article 370 provisions of the Constitution. The pilgrimage did not take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.