Amarnath cloudburst: Yatra temporarily suspended after fatal tragedy; death toll rises to 16

After the cloudburst near the Amarnath cave, 12 passengers from Uttarakhand, who were trapped in the Panchtarni Helipad Army Base Camp, were airlifted by the Army and brought to Srinagar Army Camp

Thirty-five pilgrims have been discharged, following treatment. 17 are getting the treatment and are likely to get discharged tonight, said Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) Officials.

The Indian Army is continously carrying out rescue operation for the Amarnath Yatris injured in the cloudburst at Baltal in Kashmir.

The 11th batch of over 6,000 Amarnath pilgrims left the Jammu city on Saturday for the twin base camps in Kashmir even as the annual pilgrimage to the cave shine in south Kashmir was halted because of the flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall that killed at least 16 people.

In one of the major peacetime rescue operations, the Indian Army has deployed men and machinery including latest equipment to rescue the Amarnath pilgrims who were injured in the flash flood triggered by heavy rain. 

Telangana BJP MLA T Raja Singh had a miraculous escape from the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir, which left 13 dead. Raja Singh and his family members who reached Amarnath by a chopper decided to use ponies to descend the hills before as the weather condition began deteriorating.

At least 16 people have been killed while 15,000 pilgrims, who were stranded near the Amarnath holy cave in Jammu and Kashmir due to a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst, have been shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni. A Border Security Force spokesperson in Delhi said 16 bodies have been shifted to Baltal.

16 confirmed deaths, about 40 still seem to be missing. No landslide, but rain continues, though no problem in rescue work. 4 NDRF teams with over 100 rescuers in rescue work. Besides, Indian Army, SDRF, CRPF & others continue to rescue: NDRF DG Atul Karwal

Six pilgrims were evacuated by Army's helicopters on Saturday as rescue operations continued through the night near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath after a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst swept away scores of people, killing at least 13. 

At least 15,000 pilgrims, who were stranded near the Amarnath holy cave in Jammu and Kashmir due to a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst, have been shifted to the lower base camp of Panjtarni. 

Most of the pilgrims who were stranded near holy cave area due to flash flood last evening shifted to Panjtarni. ITBP expanded its route opening & protection parties from lower holy cave to Panjtarni. No pilgrim left on track.About 15,000 people safely shifted:ITBP 

In the cloudburst-affected area at the lower Amarnath Cave site, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) troops conducted a rescue operation early on Saturday. 

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has pressed Advanced Light Helicopters into service for rescue operations.

Helicopters pressed into service for rescue operations

- Reports Manish Prasad (India TV) 

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.

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.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday said she was distressed to learn of the tragic death of a number of pilgrims in a cloudburst near the cave shrine of Amarnath and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that the deaths and destruction near the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir was due to a highly localised rain event. The region above the Amarnath cave shrine received 28 mm of rainfall between 5.30 pm and 6.30 pm, a scientist from the IMD said.