Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday reaffirmed that the Central Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi—who is personally monitoring the situation—was making every possible effort to provide relief and rehabilitation to those affected by the Chisoti cloudburst in Kishtwar district.
He further pledged the Union Government’s full support to the people of Padder, assuring that long-term infrastructural development and enhanced disaster preparedness would also be ensured.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was in Jammu on Sunday for a day-long visit to take stock of the situation following the cloudburst in Chisoti village, Kishtwar. His visit aimed at reviewing ongoing relief and rescue operations, as well as interacting with the injured and affected families.
However, due to inclement weather, Singh was unable to fly to Kishtwar as planned. Instead, he visited the injured at Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital Jammu, where sixteen victims are currently under treatment. Doctors, led by GMC Principal Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, briefed him about their condition. Singh personally met each patient, enquired about their health, and discussed their treatment with the medical team.
Speaking to the media outside GMC Jammu, the Defence Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was very concerned and personally monitoring the Chisoti disaster. “The Prime Minister wanted an updated status, so I came to assess the situation. I wanted to visit Chisoti, but due to bad weather and a landslide on the route, it was not possible to travel there. Hence, I came to meet the injured here,” he said.
He expressed satisfaction that all patients were out of danger and praised the doctors for their dedication and compassionate treatment.
Later, Singh reviewed the situation at Raj Bhawan, Jammu, through a high-level video conference with officials and the Leader of Opposition in the J&K Legislative Assembly. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union MoS in the PMO Jitendra Singh accompanied him. Senior officials from the Army, Police, NDRF, SDRF, and civil administration also participated in the review.
During the meeting, Singh directed that there should be no compromise in relief measures and assured that the Government of India would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Padder, not only in providing immediate relief but also in ensuring long-term infrastructural development and disaster preparedness.
His visit to Jammu was slightly delayed after his aircraft developed a mid-air snag and returned to Delhi. He later reached Jammu around 1:30 pm on another flight, where he was received by LG Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, senior Army commanders, police officers, and BJP leaders.
Summing up his visit on social media, Singh posted:
“Due to inclement weather, I could not go to the cloudburst-affected areas of Kishtwar today. Reviewed the situation at Chisoti from Jammu via video conferencing. It is heartening to note that the State administration, Army, NDRF, SDRF, and J&K Police have done excellent work during the crisis. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi, the Central Government is leaving no stone unturned in providing relief and rehabilitation to those affected by this tragic incident.”
In another post, he wrote:
“Visited Jammu Medical College and met those injured in the cloudburst and flash floods at Chisoti in Kishtwar. Praying for their speedy recovery. The Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha, and Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh accompanied me during the visit.” (Agencies)
