Following a cloudburst tragedy in Kishtwar, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that immediate relief has been given to affected families and that rescue teams have been deployed.
After meeting with the families, the Chief Minister expressed his understanding of their grief, noting that they want their loved ones to be found, whether alive or dead.
He confirmed that relief from the Chief Minister’s relief fund would also be used to help the victims.
Abdullah stated that multiple teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Army, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, have been deployed for rescue operations. He clarified that the current death toll is around 60, with 70 to 80 people still missing, and dismissed reports claiming 500 to 1000 missing individuals as incorrect.
The Chief Minister also mentioned a demand to relocate the affected families but said they would consult with experts to ensure any new location is not more vulnerable to similar events.
He added that hilly regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are prone to cloudbursts and that his government would work with experts to create comprehensive plans to prevent future tragedies.
