Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday met families affected by the flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Chasoti village of Kishtwar district.
CM Abdullah also reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations and received a detailed briefing from Army personnel. Using a Virtual Reality (VR) headset, he assessed the extent of destruction and assured that immediate relief measures would be taken to support the affected families.The Indian Army, along with NDRF, SDRF, local police, and the district administration, is carrying out rescue operations in the village.”
The cloudburst, which struck along the Machail Mata Yatra route on Thursday, triggered flash floods and widespread destruction, leaving at least 60 people dead.
On Friday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed the casualties, adding that the number of missing persons was still being verified.
“Around 60 bodies have been recovered. The number of missing persons is being assessed. Once the rescue and relief operations conclude, we will examine whether the administration could have taken preventive steps when the Met Department had issued a warning and advised people not to venture out unless necessary. The rescue operation by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Police, and Administration is underway. Workers of different political parties are also on the ground,” Abdullah told reporters.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh also visited Chesoti late Friday evening to take stock of the situation.
Meanwhile, sources said the Indian Air Force has been placed on standby to support the operations. Two Mi-17 helicopters and one Advanced Light Helicopter have been kept ready at Jammu and Udhampur for deployment if required.
Earlier, during his Independence Day address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters across the country. (Agencies)
