Srinagar: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday said that rescue and relief operations in Kishtwar continued “well past midnight” following a devastating cloudburst earlier this week that claimed over 60 lives.
A massive cloudburst struck Chasoti village in Kishtwar district on Thursday along the Machail Mata Yatra route, triggering flash floods and widespread destruction. The incident resulted in heavy casualties among both yatris and local residents.
In a post on X, Singh stated, “It is well past midnight, and rescue relief operations are going on in full swing. I deeply appreciate the courageous efforts of the Military, Paramilitary forces, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the administration, who have left no stone unturned in doing their best under this precarious situation, marked by a natural calamity, difficult hilly terrain, limited connectivity, and adverse weather.”
He also acknowledged the role of local residents, who were the first to respond when the disaster struck suddenly. “Equal appreciation is due to the local residents, who were the first to swing into action when everyone was taken by surprise by a massive fatal cloudburst on the afternoon of 14th August,” Singh wrote.
The minister noted that it was reassuring to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally monitoring the situation. “What can be more reassuring than knowing that PM Sh @Narendramodi is personally overseeing the situation? Since 2014, with the Centre’s intervention, the holy Machail Yatra area has been provided road connectivity, mobile towers, electricity, and basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets,” he added.
Singh further emphasized, “All help is being provided to the affected. But we cannot bring back the lives lost. Already, 53 bodies have been recovered and officially declared dead. It is frightening to think how many more remain buried in the debris or were instantly washed away in those deadly 15 seconds.”
Meanwhile, the Army, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district administration, continues rescue operations in Chasoti village following the devastating flash floods triggered by the cloudburst.
