Jammu: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said the Centre is making every effort to provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the recent cloudburst in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh reviewed the situation in Chisoti village, the worst-hit area, through video conferencing from Raj Bhawan in Jammu. He expressed satisfaction over the coordinated efforts of the Union Territory administration, Army, NDRF, SDRF and police in tackling the crisis.
On August 14, flash floods triggered by a cloudburst ravaged Chisoti—the last motorable village on the route to the Machail Mata temple—killing 65 people, mostly pilgrims, and injuring over 100. At least 32 people are still missing, while search and rescue operations continue.
The calamity also destroyed a makeshift market, a community kitchen for pilgrims, 16 houses, government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre bridge and more than a dozen vehicles.
“Due to inclement weather, I could not visit the affected areas of Kishtwar today. However, I reviewed the situation in Chisoti from Jammu via video conferencing,” Singh said in a post on X.
The review meeting was attended by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, and senior Army and police officials.
“It is heartening to note that the administration, Army, NDRF, SDRF and J&K Police have done excellent work during this crisis. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the Central Government is leaving no stone unturned to provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected by this tragedy,” the Defence Minister added.
