At least 16 pilgrims have died in flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in the northern Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. Officials said the cloudburst occurred late on Friday evening, leading to flash floods that swept away several makeshift tents at the base camp of a holy Hindu shrine in the central government-controlled territory. "Sixteen people have been confirmed dead. About 40 still seem to be missing. No landslide, but rain continues, though no problem in rescue work," National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) chief Atul Karwal told the local media. According to the top disaster management official, four NDRF teams of 100 personnel have been pressed into rescue work. "The Indian Army is also in action at the disaster site," Karwal said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his anguish over the loss of lives in the cloudburst. "Condolences to the bereaved families. Also read: India landslide death toll rises to 42 Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected," Modi wrote. Every year, thousands of Hindus visit the holy shrine as part of an annual pilgrimage. Also read: 24 killed in landslide in India's Manipur

At least six people were killed and more than 26 others went missing after flash floods triggered by a cloudburst lashed a remote hamlet in the northern Indian territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the early hours of Wednesday. The cloudburst -- a sudden aggressive rainstorm limited to an area -- occurred in Honzar village in the federal government-controlled territory's hilly Kishtwar district, when most of the victims were fast asleep in their houses. Read:18 die in India road crash Officials said at least eight to 10 houses in the village were swept away by the flash floods. "Six bodies have been recovered so far," Kishtwar deputy commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma told the local media. "Some 12 people have been rescued and admitted to hospitals." Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the federal government would extend all possible help to the affected people. "The Central Government is closely monitoring the situation in the wake of the cloudbursts in Kishtwar and Kargil. All possible assistance is being made available in the affected areas. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," Modi tweeted. Read:Pandemic leaves Indians mired in massive medical debts Federal Minister Jitendra Singh said that the Indian Air Force was asked to join the rescue operations. "Following cloudburst in Dachhan region, 30 to 40 persons missing... Air Force authorities contacted for lifting the injured as and when required.Keeping close track of the situation. Every kind of further help will be provided as per requirement," he tweeted in the morning. Read:Floods & landslides in India kill over 100 The northern Indian territory has been experiencing heavy monsoon rains for the past three days. "The meteorological department has predicted heavy rains during the upcoming days and water levels in rivers and nallas (streams) are expected to rise, which can pose a threat to the inhabitants residing near rivers, nallas, water bodies and slide-prone areas," the district administration said in an advisory on Tuesday night.

Dhaka, Sept 4 (UNB) -Foreign Minister of Pakistan Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has phoned his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen and shared current issues.