Ten people were killed and 40 are reported missing after a cloudburst near the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, said officials.
The cloudburst was reported at around 5:30 pm. Community kitchens and tents along the yatra route have been damaged.
“Situation is under control, rains are still going on. Looking at the hazard level, the Amarnath Yatra has been halted temporarily due to the area being inundated. If the weather remains normal and makeshift arrangements are made, then the yatra can be resumed tomorrow,” said spokesperson of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police or ITBP.
A senior ITBP official said that water came from above and sides of the cave after it rained heavily at the upper reaches.
The injured are being airlifted for treatment. Rescue operation by the national and the state disaster response teams and other agencies is underway.
A cloudburst refers to particularly heavy rain in a short period of time over limited geographical area. The Amarnath Yatra was briefly suspended earlier this week due to bad weather.
The pilgrimage began this year on June 30 after a 2-year Covid gap. More than 72,000 pilgrims have offered their prayers at the shrine since then.