Amarnath cloudburst causes 16 deaths; 15,000 pilgrims evacuated

Close to 15,000 pilgrims have been evacuated from near the Amarnath shrine, after a cloudburst triggered a flash flood in the region.

At least 16 have been reported dead as rescue efforts continue near the holy destination. The bodies have been shifted to Baltal.

Currently suspended, the pilgrimage began on June 30 and was hit by tragedy within the week.


"Most of the pilgrims, who were stranded near the holy cave shrine area due to the flash flood that occurred Friday evening, have been shifted to Panjtarni. The evacuation continued till 3.38 am," an official said.

As it stands, nine people have been critically injured. They are being treated by medics at the Neelgrath base camp.

A Mi-17 chopper of the BSF's air wing has been pressed into service apart from similar assets of the Army.