Jammu: Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma has praised troops for their swift and effective disaster relief efforts following the Chisoti cloudburst.
The Army commander visited Kishtwar and Rajouri districts on Thursday. According to the Northern Command, “Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Commander Northern Command, visited hinterland formations and units at Rajouri and Kishtwar to commend troops for their resilient action and the successful execution of HADR efforts during the Chisoti cloudburst,” posting the update on X.
The cloudburst struck Chisoti—the last motorable village on the way to the Machail Mata temple—on August 14, resulting in 65 fatalities and 33 people reported missing. The Army deployed over 300 personnel along with machinery for search, rescue, and relief operations.
On Sunday, Army engineers constructed a Bailey bridge over the Chisoti nullah, restoring critical connectivity to the village and the Machail Mata shrine. Additionally, all-terrain vehicles were brought in to bolster the rescue and relief efforts.
The flash floods triggered by the cloudburst caused widespread devastation, destroying a makeshift market and a langar site set up for the annual Machail Mata yatra. Sixteen houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre-long bridge, and over a dozen vehicles were also damaged.
