- Wednesday, March 12, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (8) expressed his anguish over the cloudburst which happened near the Amarnath cave, a Hindu shrine, in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. At least 16 people were killed in the incident while many pilgrims were still missing.
Modi also extended condolences to the bereaved families and spoke to J&K’s lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and took stock of the situation. He also offered the latter all required help.
Anguished by the cloud burst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to @manojsinha_ Ji and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2022
Indian home minister Amit Shah also spoke to Sinha and inquired about the situation. “I have spoken with Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha pertaining to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst at Amarnath Cave. NDRF, SDRF, BSF & local admin are doing the rescue work. Our priority is to save the lives of people,” he tweeted in Hindi.
बाबा अमरनाथ जी की गुफा के पास बादल फटने से आयी फ्लैश फ्लड के संबंध में मैंने LG श्री @manojsinha_ जी से बात कर स्थिति की जानकारी ली है। NDRF, CRPF, BSF और स्थानीय प्रशासन बचाव कार्य में लगे हैं। लोगों की जान बचाना हमारी प्राथमिकता है। सभी श्रद्धालुओं की कुशलता की कामना करता हूँ।
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 8, 2022
Sinha also posted a series of tweets related to the cloudburst in which he condoled the deaths and gave the latest updates about the rescue operation.
Deeply pained by unfortunate incident of cloudburst at Shri Amarnathji holy cave, in which precious lives have been lost. I send my heartfelt condolences to bereaved families. Rescue operation by NDRF, SDRF, BSF, Army, JKP & Shrine board admin is in progress.
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 8, 2022
Spoke to Hon'ble PM & Hon'ble HM and briefed about the incident. Hon'ble PM & Hon'ble HM has assured all the help. Our priority is to save the lives of people. Instructions have been issued to provide all necessary assistance to pilgrims. I am closely monitoring the situation.
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 8, 2022
The CRPF is engaged in rescue & relief operations and helping the pilgrims. ALH Choppers pressed into action for rescue of injured.
— Manoj Sinha (@manojsinha_) July 8, 2022
The Amarnath Yatra was temporarily suspended as a result of the tragedy. However, Asian News International reported quoting the spokesperson of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police that if the weather was favourable and makeshift arrangements were in place, the yatra could resume on Saturday (9).
The cloudburst was reported around 5.30 pm local time at the cave and as a result, heavy discharge of water was reported in the adjoining areas.
The Indian Army, meanwhile, launched six rescue teams including army helicopters in the cloudburst-affected area. The Indian Air Force also kept its assets such as helicopters and personnel on standby to launch rescue and relief operations. It was also reported that 25 tents were washed away by gushing water near the cave.
The latest incident happened just two days after a cloudburst in Kullu in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh which claimed five lives.
