Union Minister Jitendra Singh reviewed the ongoing rescue and relief operations in Jammu and Kashmir’s cloudburst-hit Kishtwar district, stressing that the top priority is to trace those still missing and feared trapped under the debris.
Accompanied by Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, the minister reached the devastated Chisoti village around midnight on Friday.
“I think a disaster of this scale has never been witnessed, at least in this part of the country, and it took everyone by surprise. The priority now is to trace those who are still missing,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh told reporters in the village.
Acknowledging that many people remain buried under the debris, Singh praised the rescuers for their swift action despite severe constraints.
“This is a unique situation where a natural calamity has been compounded by natural constraints of inclement weather and difficult terrain. For instance, rescue helicopters could not reach here,” he said, adding that two helicopters remain stationed in Udhampur, awaiting better weather conditions.
Despite the challenges, Singh noted that essential recovery equipment was shifted overnight. Teams from the NDRF, SDRF, Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Jammu and Kashmir Police are all engaged in rescue efforts.
The cloudburst struck Chisoti — the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple — around 12:25 pm on August 14, flattening a makeshift market, a community kitchen for pilgrims, and a security outpost. At least 60 people were killed, over 100 injured, and significant infrastructure damaged — including 16 houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre bridge, and more than a dozen vehicles.
Singh said the J&K police chief has been camping in the area to supervise operations, while the Border Roads Organisation has deployed special equipment to help clear debris and sludge.
Asked about a relief package for victims, Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken concrete steps, convened meetings, and received a detailed briefing on Friday. Modi also spoke with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“Soon after I came out of the Independence Day programme, the first thing I did was rush here. This reflects the kind of priority and urgency the Modi government is according to this calamity,” he said.
On the possibility of PM Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah visiting, Singh said current conditions were not suitable for VVIP travel. “All of us are here, and every necessary assistance is being provided.”
He also recalled that before 2014, Chisoti lacked connectivity, electricity, mobile towers, or even basic facilities like toilets. “All of this was built in recent years, leading to a surge in pilgrims to the Machail Mata shrine. Sadly, everything was destroyed in just a few seconds,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether critically injured victims would be airlifted outside J&K for advanced treatment, Singh said the government had already offered chopper services for those who need to be shifted. (Agencies)
