On Friday evening, 15 people have died due to flash floods caused by a cloudburst near the holy Amarnath cave located in South Kashmir. This information has been given by an army officer. The official said that the relief work is going on. For the time being the journey has been stopped. Let us tell you that the rescue operation of the Indian Army is going on in the area affected by the cloudburst at the lower Amarnath cave site. According to the information given by ITBP, most of the pilgrims stranded near the holy cave area have been shifted to Panjtarni due to flash floods on Friday evening. ITBP has opened the road and extended the security teams from the lower holy cave to Panjtarni. Around 15,000 people have been evacuated safely.

Sonam Lotus, director of the Jammu and Kashmir Meteorological Department, informed after the incident that it was a very limited cloud over the holy cave. It had rained like this earlier this year. But flash floods were not seen. According to officials, 25 tents and three community kitchens, where food is served to the pilgrims, were destroyed when water suddenly entered the base camp outside the cave. Temporary hospitals have been set up at Sonamarg and other places to help the injured. According to him, helplines have been set up at Anantnag, Sringan and Delhi in South Kashmir to help the affected families, as well as an Integrated Command Center under the charge of the Divisional Commissioner (Kashmir). The Jammu and Kashmir administration has deployed advanced light helicopters for the rescue operation.

Here in Jammu and Kashmir, at around 4 am today, a cloudburst in Doda Gunti forest caused floods in Thathri town of Thathri. However, no casualty has been reported so far in this. Due to the cloudburst, many vehicles got stuck in the soil and the highway was also closed, which is being opened.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over this incident. He tweeted, "Saddened by the incident of cloudburst near Shri Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister said, the rescue and relief operation is on. He assured all possible help for relief work. Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed that the work of rescuing the people affected by the cloudburst near the Amarnath cave should be done expeditiously.

-25 tents as well as three kitchens swept away

- 06 people stay in a tent

-40 devotees feared to be trapped

-10-15 thousand devotees were present in the area

At present, there is silence near the cave of Baba Barfani. There is an atmosphere of chaos. The Amarnath Yatra has been stopped by the Jammu and Kashmir administration for the time being. Helpline numbers have been issued to inform the passengers and their families.

-NDRF : 011-23438252, 23438253

-Kashmir Division :0194-2496240

Shrine Board Helpline : 0194-2313149

Joint Police Control Room Pahalgam : 9596779039, 9797796217, 01936243233, 01936243018

Police Control Room Anantnag : 9596777669, 9419051940, 01932225870, 01932222870