Impressive indeed that this area endures, according to former resident India Four Two, around three hundred T-storms a year; with a typical pattern of clear early morning, with afternoon buildup of cloud, and storm to follow in mid or late afternoon.
Several posts have mentioned that there could have been problems with vis.
Has there been any report on wind direction relative to the ridge? It is my experience in flying close to mountains and ridges that orographic cloud will typically form on the windward side, as damp air flows upward, and on the leeward side, although visibility may be better, quite horrendous sinking air may be encountered. So that approaching the rock face,hoping to clear the ridge, if they could see it at all, these conditions might have been unhelpful.