Srinagar, July 8, KDC: At least 13 yatris died while more than three dozen are missing after a cloudburst hit Baltal area, which houses a base camp for the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage, in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district on Friday.
Sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com that some langars and tents came under the cloudburst in which 13 deaths have been reported so far and around three dozen people are missing.
A joint rescue operation by Police, NDRF and security forces has been launched after the incident.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and inquired about the situation following a flash flood that left several devotees dead near the Amarnath cave shrine.
“I have spoken to LG Shri @manojsinha_ ji and inquired about the situation regarding the flash flood caused by cloudburst near the cave of Baba Amarnath ji. NDRF, CRPF, BSF and local administration are engaged in rescue work. Saving people’s lives is our priority. I wish all the devotees well,” Amit Shah said, in a tweet. (KDC)
