Heavy rains caused a cloudburst in the Chasoti village of Kishtwar district, leading to flash floods and widespread destruction. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met with the affected families and reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations. He used a VR headset to assess the damage and committed to immediate relief for the affected families.
The cloudburst, which occurred along the Machail Mata Yatra route on Thursday, killed at least 60 people. On Friday, CM Abdullah confirmed the deaths and stated that the number of missing people was still being verified.
“Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed,” he told reporters. “After the rescue and relief operation concludes, we will inquire whether the Administration could have taken any preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and also advised people not to venture out if not needed.”
He added that the rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, police, and administration is underway, with political party workers also assisting on the ground.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also visited Chasoti to take stock of the situation. The Indian Air Force has two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter on standby in Jammu and Udhampur for deployment if needed.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters during his Independence Day address.
