Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday visited the flood-ravaged Kishtwar district to assess the extensive damage caused by flash floods earlier this week.
Abdullah’s convoy reached Gulabgarh in Padder block and later proceeded towards Chashoti village, one of the worst-affected areas, to review the ongoing relief and rescue operations.
On Friday, the Chief Minister confirmed that around 60 bodies had been recovered from Chashoti village following Thursday’s devastating flash flood. He added that efforts were underway to determine the exact number of missing persons.
“Around 60 bodies have been found. The number of missing persons is being assessed. Once the relief and rescue operations conclude, we will examine whether preventive measures could have been taken after the Met Department’s warnings. Meanwhile, the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration are working tirelessly on the ground, with support from political workers,” Abdullah told reporters.
Rescue and relief efforts remain in full swing, with multiple agencies, including the Army and disaster response teams, deployed in the affected areas.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also visited Chashoti late Friday evening to take stock of the situation. Sources said the Indian Air Force has been placed on standby, with two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter ready for deployment from Jammu and Udhampur.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort, expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters across the country. “Nature is testing us… Over the past few days, we have been facing natural disasters, landslides, cloudbursts, and many other calamities. Our sympathies are with the affected people,” he said.
